Perceptions of the role of dentists in human papillomavirus and COVID-19 vaccinations: Results of a cross-sectional validated survey of adults.

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) and COVID-19 are contagious diseases for which effective vaccines exist. Dental care professionals' involvement in vaccination campaigns for these conditions has been proposed, but there is a lack of understanding of dentists' roles in vaccination, specifically assessing patients' attitudes around dentists as vaccinators for HPV and COVID-19.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design and convenience sampling, a 12-item validated survey was distributed to community members to determine perceptions about dentists' roles in vaccination for HPV and COVID-19. Demographic characteristics, vaccination status, knowledge of the diseases, vaccination intentions, and willingness to receive education about, recommendations for, and administration of vaccine from a dentist were assessed. Responses were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Of 618 participants, most were vaccinated previously against HPV and COVID-19 (n = 462 [75.6%] and n = 371 [61.0%], respectively). Participants responded more favorably to dentist involvement in educating, discussing, and administering COVID-19 vaccines than HPV vaccines (P < .05). Participants' knowledge of HPV was found to be low compared with that of COVID-19. There were significant differences across demographic groups, with race most frequently associated with differences in responses to COVID-19 and HPV-related questions.

CONCLUSIONS

Formative data to develop interventions to support dentists' participation in vaccination campaigns are provided. Participants' acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination over HPV vaccination may reflect the public awareness of COVID-19 vs HPV due to daily relevance of this disease, or the lack of knowledge about HPV, particularly its oropharyngeal impacts.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The authors provide evidence to support dentists' involvement in vaccine education and distribution, expanding previous literature into evaluation of a new disease context (COVID-19). Lack of knowledge of HPV may affect willingness to receive the HPV vaccine, presenting an opportunity for education.