An interesting article titled “Could oral health care professionals help increase human papillomavirus vaccination rates by engaging patients in discussions?” appears in the Journal of the American Dental Association on December 8, 2022, written by Sharon Casey an et. al. The article discusses how oral healthcare such as dentists may be able to help prevent human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal and other HPV-related cancers by increasing HPV vaccination rates.
The researchers searched four databases (MEDLINE [PubMed], EMBASE, APA PsycInfo, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance system 2018 data. They looke for the prevalence of HPV vaccination and dental visits for patients between 18 and 49 years old. The researchers were left with 24 studies that they included in the review.
From these studies the authors found that knowledge regarding HPV prevalence, transmission, disease processes, and risks varied and that discussions related to HPV in dental settings were infrequent. The authors speculate that this could be because o a a lack of knowledge and communication skills those dentistry professionals. The data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data showed the majority of those who have not been vaccinated for HPV have visited their dentist in the last year. The authors feel that this shows the potential role of dentists an their staff to discuss HPV and promote awareness and acceptance of vaccination.
The authors also foun that dental professionals are interested in improving their knowledge of vaccines to prevent HPV cancer. The authors review showed that more educat is needed among the general population about HPV and vaccination. Dental professionals are well positioned to take the lead in raising awareness of HPV by making improved guidelines and policy statements through dental organizations to help encourage conversations within dental settings.