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Dentists failing to engage with patients on HPV risks

1 min read Oral health and mouth cancer
​A new US study reveals that most dentists are failing to discuss HPV prevention methods with their patients because they do not know enough about HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer.

They also admit to lacking proper communication skills to discuss such a sensitive subject, especially when age is a factor.

Providing communication skills and training about HPV can assist dentists and dental hygienists in educating patients about the HPV vaccine, and recommending that patients who are adolescents and young adults (up to age 26) get the vaccine.

Dentists or dental hygienists regularly perform oropharyngeal cancer screenings – however, most only discuss it with patients who exhibit symptoms, such as a lump in the neck and sore throat.

Many participants admit the hesitation comes as dental surgeries often lack sufficient privacy and they don’t want to embarrass a patient.

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