
HPV Vaccine to Prevent Oropharyngeal Cancer: Improving Quality and Saving Lives
HPV Vaccine to Prevent Oropharyngeal Cancer: Improving Quality and Saving Lives is organized by New York State Dental Foundation (NYSDF).
Release Date: 06/30/2021
Expiry Date: 07/01/2024
Description:
Researchers in a systematic review of the literature (Walker et al. 2019) found that there are significant knowledge deficits among dentists regarding HPV and many are not discussing the HPV-Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) link or recommending vaccination. Providers were also recommending HPV vaccination less often if they were uncomfortable discussing sex, perceived parents as hesitant, or believed patients to be low risk. Studies reported mixed results on providers' perceived role in expanded HPV vaccination and HPV-OPC education. One study, for example, found that Less than half (44%) of the respondents discuss risk factors for oropharyngeal cancer with their patients, and fewer than one quarter (21%) specifically discuss HPV as a risk factor. HPV vaccination was discussed by 9% of the respondents. Barriers to patient education on HPV included discomfort in sensitive conversations (66%) and feeling unqualified (35%). Over three fourths (80%) of the respondents were in favor of receiving training regarding HPV discussions (Stull and Lunos, 2019). In New York State at a recent meeting with 17 dentists practicing in the Capital Region, when asked who is recommending HPV vaccination to their patients who have school-age children, not one dental provider raised their hand. In sum, barriers preventing dental providers from discussing HPV with patients, including a lack of knowledge and discomfort discussing a sexually transmitted infection (Walker et al. 2019), are appropriate and realistic educational targets for a CE webinar for dentists and other oral health professionals.
Additional details will be posted as soon as information is available.