The California Dental Association is advising practice owners to encourage dental staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 instead of implementing mandates.
If an employer chooses to mandate vaccines, exceptions must be made for employees who cannot be vaccinated due to a disability, medical complications, pregnancy or religious beliefs.
To instead motivate team members to get vaccinated, practice owners can:
- Develop vaccination education campaigns.
- Make obtaining the vaccine easier for employees.
- Cover any costs associated with getting the vaccine.
- Provide a small incentive to employees who get vaccinated.
- Provide paid time off to get the vaccine and recover from potential side effects.
- Implement all practices fairly and consistently throughout the practice. Employers should be mindful of not creating or allowing a hostile atmosphere that isolates those who do not get vaccinated.