BALTIMORE CO. MD (WMAR) — The COVID-19 vaccine roll out is going slower than anticipated and the lack of communication is becoming frustrating for some Maryland workers who are part of the first phase.
"It’s worse than frustrating to be in this situation," said Dr. Gary Bauman.
Bauman works at Baltimore Center of Advanced Dentistry in Baltimore County. He's one of many across the state are waiting to find our when they will get the vaccine.
"We are 3-4 weeks into giving of these vaccines right now. Most of these jurisdictions do not have a plan," said Bauman.
Despite, dentists being included in phase one of the vaccine distribution in Maryland, according to the Maryland State Dental Association, only three counties have started vaccinating dentists. Most are still collecting information.
Bauman said he’s reached out and hasn’t gotten an answer. And it’s becoming more serious.
"For the first time, we diagnosed asymptomatic patients here in our office through sores that they had in their mouths and that’s the only symptoms that they had. And it turned out their entire family had COVID," said Bauman.
Even with lots of screenings and precautions in place, he wants the vaccine immediately. He has started a petition calling on elected officials to help create a plan.
"We are treating the patients because they need treatment and of course they aren’t wearing masks and so we are really not only on the front lines but we are in the front mouths. We are literally in their face when we are treating them.
According to the CDC, over 200,000 doses have shipped to Maryland, and only about 60,000 people have received their first dose.
Governor Larry Hogan's Office said the very early vaccinations are focused on front line hospital staff, nursing home residents and staff, and first responders.
"Dentists and the dental community surely understood that the front line workers in the hospitals probably should be the ones that should get it first but now we’re hearing about other groups that probably are not as at risk as dentists and dental hygienists and dental assistants are and that’s what’s concerning us," said Bauman.
Hogan's office encourages all licensed health care providers to reach out to their local health departments to make arrangements to be vaccinated this month.
The Maryland State Dental Association reached out to every county to see what its plans are and this is what it reported to its members on January 1:
Allegany County
Vaccinations are scheduled for Jan. 5-15. If you have not been contacted, please contact the local health department.
Anne Arundel County
Vaccinations have not started, but health care providers can sign-up here.
Baltimore City
City officials have asked MSBDE for dentist contact information and expect vaccinations to begin in February.
Baltimore County
County officials are beginning to contact dentists. There are currently no vaccines on hand. Contact the Baltimore County Health Officer at hhs@baltimorecountymd.gov.
Calvert County
Vaccinations have begun. If you have not been contacted, please contact the local health department.
Caroline County
County officials say that all dentists have been contacted and have scheduled vaccination times.
Carroll County
Vaccines are expected to be distributed in the next 2-4 weeks. Providers can alert the county to their wish to be vaccinated by completing this form.
Cecil County
Vaccinations have not begun, but providers can register here.
Charles County
Dental offices are being contacted and vaccinations are expected to begin in mid-January. If you have not been contacted, please call the county health department.
Dorchester County
Dentists are being contacted to begin sign-up process. If you have not been contacted, please reach out to the county health department.
Frederick County
The county has begun sending information to dentists to schedule a vaccination. There is a regular email/fax with the latest information that is distributed by the health department. To receive that information, please call 301-600-7430 and leave a message with your practice name and email or fax number.
Garrett County
All dental teams wanting the vaccine should receive it by the end of next week. If you have not been contacted and would like to receive a vaccination, please contact the local health department.
Harford County
County officials are currently contacting dentists to schedule appointments. If you have not been contacted please reach out to the county health department.
Howard County
No vaccinations have been administered, but practitioners can register at this portal.
Kent County
Kent County officials have not responded to multiple contacts.
Montgomery County
County officials are beginning to contact dentists and are sending information to register and begin vaccinations. A registration portal has also been set up at this link.
Prince George's County
County officials expect to open their registration portal the week of Jan. 5, and vaccines are anticipated to start two weeks later.
Queen Anne's County
Dentists are being contacted and are scheduling vaccinations. If you have not been contacted, please alert the county health department.
Somerset County
Dentists are currently being contacted to schedule vaccination times. If you have not been contacted, please alert the county health department.
St. Mary's County
Dentists have been contacted and vaccinations have begun. If you have not been contacted, please call the county health department.
Talbot County
Dentists are currently being contacted to begin scheduling process to receive the vaccine. If you have not been contacted, please alert the county health department.
Washington County
Dentists are currently being contacted to be scheduled for a vaccine. If you have not been contacted, please alert the county health department.
Wicomico County
Dentists are currently being contacted to schedule vaccination times. If you have not been contacted, please alert the county health department.
Worcester County
Dentists are being contacted to begin sign-up process. If you have not been contacted, please reach out to the county health department.
