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<p><b>Aims</b> To assess whether clinicians within the Paediatric Department at Birmingham Dental Hospital were recording the vaccination status of new patients during a period of increased public health concern following a measles outbreak in the West Midlands.</p><p><b>Methods</b> An initial audit cycle reviewed new patient records to determine if vaccination status was documented within clinical notes. Following dissemination of results and implementation of targeted interventions, including prompts added to clinical templates and increased staff awareness, a re-audit was conducted to assess improvement in adherence.</p><p><b>Results</b> The first audit cycle demonstrated 0% adherence to recording vaccination status. After interventions, the second cycle showed significant improvement, with 79% of records including vaccination information. Of these, 13% of children were identified as not being up-to-date with their vaccinations.</p><p><b>Conclusions</b> Poor vaccination rates in children are multifactorial. Incorporating questions about vaccinations into routine medical histories is an ideal opportunity to educate patients and families. Understandably, dental clinicians face challenges such as limited time during appointments. Further support should be given to solidify this as a core skill. Dental clinicians are trusted healthcare professionals and, combined with their routine interactions with children, are ideally placed to remind, guide and encourage vaccination efforts.</p>

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Every contact counts – the role of the dental profession in supporting vaccine uptake

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月5日

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  • Navdeep K. Shahi,
  • Martine Morcos,
  • Miriam Ahmed,
  • Nabeel Ilyas,
  • Sarah J. McKaig

摘要

Aims To assess whether clinicians within the Paediatric Department at Birmingham Dental Hospital were recording the vaccination status of new patients during a period of increased public health concern following a measles outbreak in the West Midlands.

Methods An initial audit cycle reviewed new patient records to determine if vaccination status was documented within clinical notes. Following dissemination of results and implementation of targeted interventions, including prompts added to clinical templates and increased staff awareness, a re-audit was conducted to assess improvement in adherence.

Results The first audit cycle demonstrated 0% adherence to recording vaccination status. After interventions, the second cycle showed significant improvement, with 79% of records including vaccination information. Of these, 13% of children were identified as not being up-to-date with their vaccinations.

Conclusions Poor vaccination rates in children are multifactorial. Incorporating questions about vaccinations into routine medical histories is an ideal opportunity to educate patients and families. Understandably, dental clinicians face challenges such as limited time during appointments. Further support should be given to solidify this as a core skill. Dental clinicians are trusted healthcare professionals and, combined with their routine interactions with children, are ideally placed to remind, guide and encourage vaccination efforts.