Assessing Dentists' Human Papillomavirus-related Health Literacy For oropharyngeal Cancer Prevention

Overview

Journal J Am Dent Assoc

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Dentistry

Date 2017 Oct 17

PMID 29031503

Citations 19

Authors

Coralia Vazquez-Otero

Cheryl A Vamos

Erika L Thompson

Laura K Merrell

Stacey B Griner

Nolan S Kline

Frank A Catalanotto

Anna R Giuliano

Ellen M Daley

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Oropharyngeal cancers related to human papillomavirus (HPV) are on the rise. Dentists may be the next group of providers participating in the prevention of HPV. The aim of this study was to assess dentists' health literacy regarding the connection of HPV and oropharyngeal cancer.

Methods: The authors conducted 4 focus groups with dentists (N = 33) during a regional dental conference in 2016. Guided by the health literacy competencies (that is, access, understand, appraise, and apply), the authors used constant comparison methods for data analysis.

Results: Dentists mentioned a variety of informational sources (for example, dental journals and colleagues). Knowledge about the link between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer varied among participants. Participants appraised multiple patient and practice factors when deciding to have the discussion with patients. Some dentists discussed the HPV and oropharyngeal cancer connection with patients, and most conducted secondary screenings.

Conclusions: Findings indicate areas for intervention, including creating awareness of trusted informational sources, as well as increasing HPV knowledge and understanding the multiple patient (for example, age) and practice (for example, open operatories) appraisal factors. Moreover, enhancing the communication skills of dentists with patients is needed to improve HPV-related cancer prevention education.

Practical Implications: Addressing dentists' HPV-related health literacy has the potential to improve dentists' HPV-related prevention practices, including expanding patient education about this topic and increasing HPV vaccination knowledge, ultimately contributing to the reduction of oropharyngeal cancers.

Citing Articles

Knowledge, attitude and perception of Italian dental students toward HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer and vaccination: a cross-sectional study.

Musella G, Liguori S, Cantile T, Adamo D, Coppola N, Canfora F BMC Oral Health. 2024; 24(1):1213.

PMID: 39402502 PMC: 11472497. DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04998-w.

STEPS (Study To Examine Parent, Patient/Dental Provider Systems) to Prevent Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-Related Cancers: A Piloted Dental Patient and Provider Evaluation of Current and Future HPV Education.

Jordan K, Stephens J, Niles K, Hoffmeyer N, Pennell M, Oliveri J J Cancer Educ. 2024; 40(1):44-53.

PMID: 38963602 PMC: 11846729. DOI: 10.1007/s13187-024-02465-2.

Assessing the Knowledge of HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, HPV Vaccination, and Practice Scope among Saudi Dental Students in the Western Region.

Alsharif M, Alsahafi E Healthcare (Basel). 2024; 12(9).

PMID: 38727462 PMC: 11083101. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12090905.

Investigating women's awareness and perceptions on human papillomavirus infection and oropharyngeal cancer in Italy.

Paduano G, Vaienna S, Maisto G, Di Giuseppe G, Pavia M Front Public Health. 2023; 11:1195588.

PMID: 37701909 PMC: 10493318. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1195588.

Knowledge of Oral Cancer Risk Factors among International Medical and Dental Students at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Petrauskiene S, Kopczynska D, Zemgulyte G, Saldunaite-Mikucioniene K Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(2).

PMID: 36673639 PMC: 9859494. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11020271.

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