Discussing HPV and oropharyngeal cancer in dental settings: gender and provider-type matter.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US and the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), an oral cancer most often identified by dental providers. Given the rise in HPV-associated OPC and recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the HPV vaccine to prevent OPC, dental providers have a unique role in HPV prevention. This study assessed US adults' comfort levels discussing HPV and OPC with dental providers. An online survey platform was used to recruit a nationally representative sample of US adults (n = 300). The questionnaire assessed participants' knowledge, acceptability, and comfort discussing HPV-related topics with dental providers. SPSS 24 was utilized for data analyses. In general, participants reported feeling comfortable discussing HPV and OPC with dental providers. Participants reported feeling more comfortable with dentists than dental hygienists when discussing (t = 2.85, p < .01) and receiving recommendations about the HPV vaccine (t = 2.09, p < .05). Participants were less comfortable discussing HPV as a risk factor for OPC compared to non-HPV related risk factors (t = 2.94, p < .01). Female participants preferred female providers, whereas male participants had no preference. Previous research has indicated dental providers recognize their role in HPV prevention, but research is needed to understand patients' perceptions of dental providers' role in HPV prevention. Findings demonstrate that US adults are comfortable discussing HPV and OPC with dental providers, which may be key to OPC-HPV prevention. Future research is needed to facilitate HPV communication between patients and dental providers.

The Role of Dental Providers in Preventing HPV-Related Diseases: A Systems Perspective.

Successfully educating dental providers and patients about the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and oropharyngeal cancer requires coordinated efforts to increase HPV-related prevention practices. The aim of this study was to identify, using a systems perspective, the multi-level determinants related to how dental providers can promote HPV prevention in dental practices. Data for this qualitative study were collected in 2015-16 from focus groups with dentists (four focus groups, n=33), focus groups with dental hygienists (four focus groups, n=48), and in-depth interviews with dental opinion leaders (n=13). Results were triangulated and mapped along micro, meso, and macro system levels. At the micro level, participants identified patient characteristics and low self-efficacy as influential determinants when discussing HPV prevention. At the meso level, relationships among dentists, dental hygienists, and the physical practice environment were factors affecting dental providers' HPV prevention efforts. At the macro level, professional organizations impacted how dental providers interacted with their patients on this topic. These results suggest that improving HPV prevention among dental providers requires a multi-level approach that considers the distinctive context of dental settings, dental training, and perceptions of professional roles. The findings suggested that the macro- and meso-level determinants may be challenging to modify due to the distinctive culture and practice models of dentistry. Nevertheless, the association between HPV and oral cancer requires an expansion of prevention strategies used in dental practices. Improving dental providers' self-efficacy to communicate HPV prevention through continuing education and integration of skill-guided training in dental and dental hygiene curricula could facilitate this process.

Transforming women's oral-systemic health through discovery, development, and delivery.

BACKGROUND: Oral-systemic etiologies solely or disproportionally affect women's health; however, little communication between and among disciplines occurs. METHODS: To bridge this gap, an innovative conference, "Transforming Women's Health: Discovery, Development, and Delivery," was held in Tampa, Florida. The conference aimed to address complex oral-systemic women's health issues by bringing together researchers, providers, and policy experts in dentistry, medicine, nursing, public health, and allied health professions. The program was structured by three organizational themes: (a) discovery (i.e., oral-systemic research specific to women's health issues); (b) development (i.e., translation of oral-systemic research to practice); and (c) delivery (i.e., collaborative practice). RESULTS: Issues discussed during conference proceedings include oral-system health in children, pregnant women, and older women, and cardiovascular disease and human papillomavirus (HPV) as oral-systemic health issues. Team and system-based approaches to reducing disciplinary-specific research, developing cross-disciplinary strategies and methods for improving women's health, and the advantages of creating collaborative networks, as well as effective communication practices with patients, were addressed. CONCLUSION: Based on findings from this innovative conference, it is clear that creating a transdisciplinary paradigm of research and practice may be the most effective vehicle for addressing oral-systemic health issues.

Demand study for advanced dental hygiene educational degrees: part 2: assessing educational demand.

Currently, the debate over the addition of the midlevel provider position for dental hygienists rages on. The midlevel provider (similar to the physician's assistant) in dentistry exists in a handful of states in various forms, but is hotly contested in many other states. This is the second half of a 2-part study undertaken to add to the current body of knowledge by addressing the clinical needs changing in our population and the associated demand study for additional educational degrees for dental hygienists to address these changing needs. Part 1 addressed a literature update on oral health and systemic correlations contributing to our populations' declining health conditions, whereas part 2 illustrates the results of the demand study. It attempts to benchmark "adequate demand" and applies the stakeholder theory as its theoretical framework.

Demand study for advanced dental hygiene educational degrees: Part 1: Assessing the clinical changes of our population.

The debate over the addition of the midlevel provider position for dental hygienists currently rages on. The midlevel provider (similar to the physician's assistant) in dentistry exists in a handful of states but is hotly contested in many other states. This is a 2-part study to add to the current body of knowledge by addressing the changing clinical needs in our population and the associated demand study for additional educational degrees for dental hygienists to address these changing needs. Part 1 addresses a literature update on oral health and systemic correlations contributing to our populations' declining health conditions, whereas part 2 illustrates the results of the demand study.