Increasing Oral Health Team's Knowledge, Attitudes, and Intention to Recommend the HPV Vaccine.

This study aims to assess the impact of an educational intervention on the knowledge, attitudes, and intentions of oral health providers regarding the recommendation of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. A qualitative evaluation was conducted in 2021 with dental professionals who participated in a training program focused on HPV vaccination. Saturation was reached at 12. Results showed increased knowledge and awareness of the link between HPV infection and oropharyngeal cancers among participants. Intention to recommend was universally endorsed. The use of role-play with youth actors was highly regarded as an effective method for improving communication skills and confidence in recommending the vaccine. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted interventions to enhance oral health professional education and the intention to recommend HPV vaccine.

The Importance of Oral Health in Immigrant and Refugee Children.

According to the Migration Policy Institute, 2017 data revealed that a historic high 44.5 million people living in the United States (US) were foreign-born [1], more than double the number from 1990 [2]. Since the creation of the Refugee Resettlement Program in 1980, refugee families have settled in the US more than in any other country in the world [3]. In 2018, for the first time, Canada overtook the US in numbers of refugees accepted [1]. Foreign-born people now account for 13.7% of the total US population [1]. Further, a quarter of children in the United States currently live in households with at least one foreign-born parent [4]. These population shifts are important to note because immigrant and refugee families bring cultural influences and health experiences from their home countries which can greatly affect the overall health and well-being of children. For these new arrivals, oral health is often a significant health issue. The severity of dental disease varies with country of origin as well as cultural beliefs that can hinder access to care even once it is available to them [5,6]. As pediatricians and primary care providers, we should acknowledge that oral health is important and impacts overall health. Healthcare providers should be able to recognize oral health problems, make appropriate referrals, and effectively communicate with families to address knowledge gaps in high-risk communities.