In order to ensure a safe and healthy clinical environment for all patients, families, and team members, High House Pediatric Dentistry and the NC Tongue Tie Center require adherence to the following vaccination standards for all pediatric patients.
All infants receiving frenectomy surgery must have received the intramuscular vitamin K injection at birth, or received the IM injection at least 24 hours prior to frenectomy surgery. We can help facilitate appointments with select medical practices that are able to offer vitamin K shots for those that did not receive it at birth.
Children must be up to date on all vaccinations recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), The American Academy of Family Physicians, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
If a child is following a modified vaccination schedule, documentation must be provided, including an outline of the modified schedule, and must be signed by a licensed medical doctor, for review by the practice owner.
Children with medical contraindications to vaccination must provide a medical exemption letter with rationale, signed by a licensed physician for review by the practice owner. If a child is following a modified vaccination schedule, documentation must be provided, including an outline of the modified schedule, and must be signed by a licensed medical doctor, for review by the practice owner.
At High House Pediatric Dentistry, we understand that changes in healthcare policies can raise questions. One common question we hear is "Why are you implementing a vaccination policy now, when this wasn't required 13 years ago when you opened? Has that much changed?"
Medical science has come a long way in the past 13 years. We now have a better understanding of how contagious diseases spread in healthcare settings—especially in places like dental practices where children are in close contact and procedures can generate aerosols. This knowledge helps us make smarter decisions to protect everyone.
With the addition of the North Carolina Tongue Tie Center, the number of infants that we see has jumped significantly. These infants may be only a few days or weeks old, making it important for us to provide a safe environment for frenectomy surgery. Our general pediatric patient has also evolved, and we now interact daily with many patients, parents, and staff who may be immunocompromised, or have medical conditions that make it impossible for them to receive vaccinations. These individuals cannot safely receive vaccines yet, and rely on others being vaccinated to stay protected. By ensuring that all eligible children are vaccinated, our policy helps to create a safer space for them.
Recent outbreaks of diseases like measles and pertussis have shown how quickly illnesses can spread when vaccination rates drop. These outbreaks can be serious, especially for young children. By implementing this policy, and other parts of our infection control protocols, we are taking proactive steps to prevent disruptions to care and protect our patients, reducing risk to as low as reasonably achievable.
Another common question is "What is the rationale for your current vaccination policy?"
Dental clinics involve close contact, shared spaces, and aerosol-generating procedures. Unvaccinated children pose a higher risk of transmitting contagious diseases such as measles, pertussis, and influenza, which can spread rapidly in healthcare environments. Maintaining high vaccination coverage helps prevent outbreaks and ensures continuity of care for all patients. As a whole, this part of our infection control protocol along with other components (i.e. N95 masks when working with immunocompromised children, UV sterilization in our air handling system, rescheduling children who are ill or have a fever) work together to reduce risk of infection to as low as reasonably achievable.
Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health. Our policy is thoughtful, and reflects a commitment to science, evidence-based medical standards, parental and patient autonomy, and the safety of our clinical environment. We recognize that families may have personal or religious beliefs regarding vaccination, and we respect those perspectives. In a shared space, our responsibility is to provide a setting for dental care that minimizes risk for all children, especially those who are medically vulnerable.
Across pediatric healthcare, there is a growing emphasis on infection prevention and patient safety. Many clinics and hospitals now have vaccination policies to reduce risk. We are aligning with these best practices to ensure our clinic remains a safe and trusted place for your child's care. As the world of pediatric healthcare evolves, High House Pediatric Dentistry will update our standards/guidelines, which will always balance evidence-based health and wellness of children, thoughtfulness and compassion, and consideration for all members of our community.
We understand that vaccination decisions are deeply personal. Our policy is not intended to judge or exclude families, but rather to ensure that our practice remains a safe space for all patients. Parents who choose not to vaccinate for non-medical reasons have many other options in Wake County, and may consider seeking care at practices that align with their preferences. We are happy to discuss concerns and help families navigate documentation for modified schedules or medical exemptions.
1. The flu or COVID vaccine is excluded from this policy, although highly encouraged. Children with a fever are asked to re-schedule and may not be seen at the doctor's discretion until the fever, and other signs of sickness have subsided.
2. For current patients who have not been vaccinated, the practice will honor currently scheduled appointments but will not provide additional appointments or treatments, except for emergency care for 30 days.
3. Scheduling future appointments will be contingent on the child being brought up to date on vaccinations, or documentation (delayed schedule, medical exemption) is provided for review- a final decision will be up to the practice owner. If parents have chosen to seek care elsewhere and notify us, we can help with records transfer.
4. The practice intake and information update forms have been revised to include questions about vaccinations to verify vaccination status. The practice reserves the right to request additional documentation to clarify status.
Your acceptance of this vaccination policy is required for continued care at High House Pediatric Dentistry and the North Carolina Tongue Tie Center. We are happy to discuss concerns, and modify appointment scheduling if appropriate.
