Vaccination af tandlæger
Når tandlæger behandler patienter, er der risiko for at blive smittet eller smitte med potentielt alvorlige/livstruende infektioner. Det er dog muligt at vaccinere for en række smitsomme sygdomme. I Danmark findes der ikke nationale retningslinjer, men Sundhedsstyrelsen anbefaler, at tandlæger og andet klinikpersonale vaccineres mod hepatitis B-infektion, hvis de behandler patienter i højrisikogrupper, fx stofmisbrugere. WHO anbefaler, at alle sundhedsprofessionelle vaccineres mod influenza – ikke alene for at opnå individuel beskyttelse, men også for at beskytte sårbare patienter. Sundhedsstyrelsen anbefaler derimod udelukkende influenzavaccine til visse udsatte patientgrupper, fx ved alder > 65, kronisk sygdom og BMI > 40. Generelt bør alle voksne i Danmark, herunder tandlæger, have gennemgået det danske vaccinationsprogram og hvis ikke, bør de vaccineres mod difteri og stivkrampe og eventuelt polio, mæslinger, fåresyge og røde hunde. For enkelte tandlæger kan vaccination mod tuberkulose komme på tale, fx ved længerevarende erhvervsmæssig eksponering.
Immunisation of dentists: There is a risk that life threatening infections may be passed in either directions between dentist and patient. Immunisation can reduce this risk There are no national guidelines for immunisation in Denmark. However, the Danish Health and Medicines Authority recommend that dentists and other dental staff, treating patients in high-risk groups e.g. intravenous drug abusers, should be vaccinated with the Hepatitis B - vaccine. Immunisation against Influenza A and B is recommended by the WHO - not only to protect the dentist but also vulnerable patients. However, the Danish Health and Medicines Authority only recommend the influenza-vaccine be given to patients that are more susceptible to influenza such as patients older than 65 years, with a chronic disease, or BMI > 40. In general, all adults, including dentists, should be immunised against diphtheria and tetanus and probably polio, measles, mumps and rubella. Because of the additional occupational risk, dentists should also consider immunisation against tuberculosis.
