Lipsky Martin S, Wolfe Geo, Radilla Brisa A, Hung Man
Institute on Aging, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, USA.
College of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, Summerlin, NV 89135, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Mar 17;22(3):439. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22030439.
(1) Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant public health concern associated with various cancers, including a rising incidence of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Despite the availability of effective vaccines targeting high-risk HPV types, vaccination rates remain suboptimal. Dental professionals are uniquely positioned to contribute to HPV prevention through education, vaccination advocacy, and early detection. (2) Methods: This narrative review synthesized the literature from 2006 to 2024 on HPV epidemiology, pathophysiology, vaccine efficacy, and the role of dental providers in HPV prevention. Sources included peer-reviewed articles listed in Pubmed and Google Scholar, including observational studies and review articles, guidelines, clinical trials, and governmental data. Key barriers to HPV-related care in dental practice and strategies for overcoming them were analyzed. (3) Results: The review underscores the critical role of dentists in HPV-related disease prevention, highlighting their ability to detect HPV-related lesions, promote vaccine uptake, and address patient concerns. Barriers such as limited knowledge, discomfort discussing HPV, and misinformation were identified. Strategies like incorporating HPV education into dental training, utilizing emerging diagnostic tools, and adopting effective communication approaches can enhance the role of dental professionals in reducing HPV-associated cancer risks. (4) Conclusion: By integrating HPV education, vaccination advocacy, and early detection into routine dental care, dental professionals can play a transformative role in public health. A dental provider's endorsement can increase HPV vaccine uptake and help prevent oral cancer. These efforts align with broader health promotion goals, offering a significant opportunity to reduce the burden of HPV-associated cancers and improve long-term patient outcomes.
(1) 引言：人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）是一个重大的公共卫生问题，与多种癌症相关，包括口咽癌（OPC）发病率的不断上升。尽管有针对高危HPV类型的有效疫苗，但疫苗接种率仍不理想。牙科专业人员在通过教育、疫苗接种宣传和早期检测来预防HPV方面具有独特的地位。(2) 方法：本叙述性综述综合了2006年至2024年关于HPV流行病学、病理生理学、疫苗效力以及牙科医疗服务提供者在HPV预防中作用的文献。资料来源包括PubMed和谷歌学术搜索中列出的同行评审文章，包括观察性研究、综述文章、指南、临床试验和政府数据。分析了牙科实践中HPV相关护理的关键障碍以及克服这些障碍的策略。(3) 结果：该综述强调了牙医在HPV相关疾病预防中的关键作用，突出了他们检测HPV相关病变、促进疫苗接种以及解决患者担忧的能力。确定了诸如知识有限、讨论HPV时感到不适以及错误信息等障碍。将HPV教育纳入牙科培训、利用新兴诊断工具以及采用有效的沟通方法等策略，可以增强牙科专业人员在降低HPV相关癌症风险方面的作用。(4) 结论：通过将HPV教育、疫苗接种宣传和早期检测纳入常规牙科护理，牙科专业人员可以在公共卫生中发挥变革性作用。牙科医疗服务提供者的认可可以提高HPV疫苗接种率并有助于预防口腔癌。这些努力与更广泛的健康促进目标相一致，为减轻HPV相关癌症的负担和改善患者长期预后提供了重要机会。
