Prevention of HPV-Related Oral Cancer by Dentists: Assessing the Opinion of Dutch Dental Students

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess dental students' opinions of the dentists' role in primary prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oral cancer using a crosssectional web-based survey. A questionnaire, containing questions about knowledge of HPV and oral cancer, confidence in head and neck examination and role of the dentist in preventing HPV-related oral cancer, was sent to all students of the Academic Centre of Dentistry Amsterdam (n = 912). One hundred and twenty-six (n = 126) students completed the questionnaire. Significantly, more master students (75%) than bachelor students (54.3%) were aware that HPV is a causative factor for oral cancer. Master students had more knowledge of HPV than bachelor students, but knowledge about HPV vaccination was irrespective of the study phase. The majority of dental students agreed that it is important to discuss HPV vaccination with patients. Eighty-nine percent of the students think that more education about symptoms of oral cancer will increase screening for oral cancer. Development of a protocol for screening in dental practices was considered even more important. According to dental students, dentists should discuss HPV as a risk factor for oral cancer with patients. Future dentists are willing to be involved in both primary and secondary prevention of HPV-related oral cancer. Therefore, screening for oral cancer and education about HPV vaccination should be integral elements of the dental curriculum.

Awareness of Polish undergraduate and graduate students regarding the impact of viral infections and high-risk sexual behaviors on the occurrence of oral cancer

“…The above researchers assessed awareness of dental students, whereas the present findings are related to students of various, mainly, nonmedical university courses. [ 21 ] A large need for education related to prophylaxis and prevention of HPV infections, also among students, was emphasized by Stock et al These researchers found that insufficient knowledge of the correlation between HPV infection and oral cancer was presented particularly by students who did not participate in educational interventions. [ 22 ]…”

“…Like in the study by Poelman et al the present findings do not show significant differences in the level of awareness related to HPV vaccine, depending on stage of the university course. [ 21 ]…”

“…[ 27 ] Likewise, 89% of the dental students participating in the study by Poelman et al report a need for more comprehensive education related to symptoms of oral cancer, which would lead to improved screening for this condition. [ 21 ]…”

Are dental providers the next line of HPV-related prevention? Providers’ perceived role and needs

“…Accordingly, researchers have argued that oral health professionals “can take the lead in confronting the HPV- oropharyngeal cancer epidemic” [23] , especially through interprofessional collaboration, such as referring patients to relevant clinicians to receive vaccinations and any needed follow-up care [23] . Interprofessional collaboration highlights some dental providers' acceptance of HPV vaccination efforts, but existing evidence suggests that large numbers of current and future dental providers are not yet ready to discuss HPV vaccines with patients [24] , and dental students have expressed willingness to discuss HPV with patients but still have concerns about information deficits [25] , [26] . Discussing HPV with patients would allow dental providers to engage in primordial prevention efforts—a form of “intervention at the most distal point in the chain of causality” [27] that focuses on preventing risk factors and the social and environmental conditions that lead to disease [28] .…”

Virus del papiloma humano, sus implicaciones en cavidad bucal; una revisión de la literatura

“…Con base en lo anterior, es cierto que aún en la actualidad existen temas tabú difíciles de abordar, sin embargo, concientizar a nuestros pacientes acerca de la forma de contagio del virus y los riesgos que trae consigo dicha presencia en la cavidad bucal propiciará una disminución importante en la incidencia de neoplasias malignas originadas por vph. Poelman et al mencionaron una serie de puntos acerca del papel del odontólogo ante dicho virus, en los cuales incluyen la importancia de informar a nuestros pacientes acerca de la presencia del vph, discutir acerca de los pros y contras de la vacunación contra el virus, así como realizar diagnósticos tempranos de lesiones potencialmente sospechosas [50].…”