Attitudes toward Vaccinations and Vaccination Coverage Rates among Dental Students in Greece

Abstract

Our aim was to study attitudes toward vaccinations, full vaccination rates and susceptibility rates against vaccine-preventable diseases among students attending a University Dental School. A total of 134 students were studied. Full vaccination rates were as follows: 56.5% against measles and mumps, 70.6% against rubella, 32.3% against varicella, 44.1% against hepatitis A, 45.9% against hepatitis B, and 87.7% against COVID-19. In the past decade, 63.2% of students had received a booster shot against tetanus–diphtheria, 47.8% against pertussis, and 28.1% against poliomyelitis, while 29.4% of students had been vaccinated against influenza in the past year. Susceptibility rates were 40.4% for measles, 42.4% for mumps, 28.3% for rubella, 32.3% for varicella, 55.3% for hepatitis A, 54.1% for hepatitis B, 36.8% for tetanus–diphtheria, 52.2% for pertussis, and 71.9% for poliomyelitis. Overall, 123 (91.8%) students favored mandatory vaccinations, mainly for all dentists (88.4%), while 11.6% of students favored them only for dentists who provide care to high-risk patients. In conclusion, most dental students favored mandatory vaccinations, yet we found significant vaccination gaps and susceptibility rates against vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccinations for dental students should be intensified. A national vaccination registry for healthcare personnel including dental students is urgently needed.

Vaccination Coverage during Childhood and Adolescence among Undergraduate Health Science Students in Greece

“…In our study, the majority of participating students completed mandatory vaccinations against VPDs according to the recommendations of the Greek Ministry of Health for HCWs. Our findings are in accordance with the limited similar studies conducted in Greece [ 25 , 27 ]. However, it should be noted that 16% of health science students were not fully vaccinated.…”

“…Namely, for HBV (95.1%), MMR (96.1%), MCC (93.1%), and MenACWY (100%), the percentage was higher compared to previous studies in Greece, conducted mainly for health science students. This study expands on prior research indicating an increasing compliance over the years [ 18 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Nevertheless, further research is needed, especially regarding certain vaccines.…”

“…For Td/Tdap, approximately 70% of our study subjects are immunized, suggesting that the Td component uptake remains far below the 90% WHO goals [ 5 ]. These findings are supported by another study conducted in 2021 among dental students [ 27 ] indicating that 63.2% of dental students had received a booster shot against tetanus–diphtheria. During the last decade, completed vaccination coverage, concerning the Td/Tdap vaccine of Greek healthcare students, ranged from 74.6% to 80.2% [ 18 , 25 ].…”

Experience of Bangladeshi Dental Students towards Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…In addition to medical students, dental students are considered among the group of students who are most exposed to various communicable diseases, including COVID-19. Dental students are also at increased risk of cross-infection because of their proximity with the oral cavities, the upper respiratory systems, saliva droplets, and blood of patients, as well as the usage of aerosol-generating instruments during clinical training [27][28][29]. Both dental students and educators have experienced challenges in pre-clinical and clinical dental education.…”

A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Survey on Blood-Borne Infection Control among Romanian Dental Students

“…Dentists may be exposed to pathogens during their clinical activity, even if they apply basic preventive measures. To avoid cross-infection, some safety precautions should be taken in addition to vaccination and proper adherence to the post-exposure protocol [29].…”