Oregon Dentist Is First Oral Health Professional to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine

Ryan Thrower, DMD, an orthodontic resident at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland is the first oral health professional in the United States and possibly the world to administer a COVID-19 vaccine. Thrower injected Ansu Drammeh, RN, BSN, a cardiovascular intensive care nurse, with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Oregon is the only state that allows licensed dentists to administer any type of vaccination to their patients. Oregon dentists must first complete a 10-hour online training course and hands-on instruction followed by the successful passage of an examination. OHSU offers the vaccination course to its dental students and residents as well as practicing dentists. Minnesota and Illinois allow dentists to administer flu shots to their patients. Read more here.