Anty Lam, RDH, MPH, is a professor in the Department of Dental Hygiene at City Tech where she teaches public health and serves as clinical coordinator and clinical instructor for senior dental hygiene students.
Understanding the origins of this viral disease and how it spreads will help oral health professionals advise their patients and prevent its transmission.
In light of declining vaccination rates, oral health professionals need to be knowledgeable about current vaccine recommendations so they can best advise their patients and support public health.
Dental hygienists need to be familiar with vaccination recommendations in order to protect themselves from exposure to infectious diseases and educate patients about the importance of immunizations.