Mandatory vaccination could see thousands of dental workers lose their jobs
The introduction of mandatory vaccines for NHS staff could see thousands of dental workers lose their jobs.
Under new guidelines, NHS staff, including dentists and dental nurses, will be required to demonstrate that they are fully vaccinated to work for the NHS from April 1st.
Surveys carried out by the British Dental Association suggest that 30% of practices could lose staff. Up to 15% of dentists could leave their jobs. Two-thirds of practices have fully vaccinated dentists, but less than half of those surveyed were confident that all their dental nurses had received all the required doses of the vaccine.
The BDA compared the situation to “dropping a bomb on a service already stretched to breaking point.” A survey, which was shared with the PA News Agency, suggests that 9% of dentists are not fully vaccinated in England.
BDA chair, Eddie Crouch, criticised the government for imposing mandatory vaccination for NHS workers and said that as a consequence, there will be hundreds of vacancies that will “never be filled.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said that vaccines were “our best defence” against Covid-19 and stated that the decision had been taken to protect patients and make sure that everyone involved with the NHS is as safe as possible. Ministers have urged anyone who has not yet had their vaccine to come forward.
Studies suggest that having a booster reduces the risk of developing serious illness caused by the Omicron variant by over 85%.
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