WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) urges its member institutions and programs to advise and strongly encourage their faculty, staff, students and residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. They exist as a patient care/education entity and must consider the health and safety of those they employ, educate and serve.

ADEA is concerned about the well-being of its members who are providing oral health care every day and implores its members to advocate for COVID-19 vaccination requirements at their institution of learning.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in its COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review for July 23, 2021 that the Delta variant is estimated to now account for 82% of new cases in the United States, and the number of cases is increasing in areas with low vaccination rates. Overall, 90% of U.S. jurisdictions are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Nowhere is safety from disease and infection more critical than in the clinical environment for faculty, staff, students and patients. Every available step to prevent that from occurring should be taken.

About ADEA: The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is The Voice of Dental Education. Our mission is to lead and support the health professions community in preparing future-ready oral health professionals. Our members include all 78 U.S. and Canadian dental schools, more than 800 allied and advanced dental education programs, more than 50 corporations and approximately 18,000 individuals. Our activities encompass a wide range of research, advocacy, faculty development, meetings and communications, including the esteemed Journal of Dental Education®, as well as the dental school application services ADEA AADSAS®, ADEA PASS®, ADEA DHCAS® and ADEA CAAPID®. For more information, visit adea.org.