Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States; more than 70 million Americans are infected.1x1Mui, U.N., Haley, C.T., and Tyring, S.K. Viral oncology: molecular biology and pathogenesis. J Clin Med. 2017;
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Google ScholarSee all References Most infections (90%) with HPV resolve asymptomatically within 2 years, but persisting infections with a high-risk strain (HPV types 16 and 18, among others) are associated with numerous malignancies including oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).2x2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HPV-associated cancer statistics. ()https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/index.htm.
Google ScholarSee all References High-risk HPV infections (HPV types 16 and 18, among others) cause approximately 70% through 80% of all OPSCC in the United States.3x3Dyne, E.A.V. Trends in human papillomavirus-associated cancers: United States, 1999-2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;
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Google ScholarSee all References,4x4Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. United States Cancer Statistics Datab Brief. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/pdf/USCS-DataBrief-No1-December2017-508.pdf. Accessed January 3, 2020.
Google ScholarSee all References Rates of HPV-positive OPSCC have been increasing by 5% annually, and it is now the most common HPV-associated cancer.3x3Dyne, E.A.V. Trends in human papillomavirus-associated cancers: United States, 1999-2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;
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The 9-valent HPV vaccine is available in the United States, helping protect against the 9 types of HPV responsible for most HPV-related cancers. Although prevention of OPSCC is not among the indications of the 9-valent HPV vaccine, data show that the vaccine has the potential to help prevent oral HPV infections, a known risk factor for this type of cancer.5x5Villa A, Patton L, Giuliano AR, et al. Summary of the evidence on the safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of human papillomavirus vaccines: umbrella review of systematic reviews [published online ahead of print January 23, 2020]. JADA. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2019.10.010.
Google ScholarSee all References,6x6Chaturvedi, A.K., Graubard, B.I., Broutian, T. et al. Effect of prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination on oral HPV infections among young adults in the United States. J Clin Oncol. 2018;
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Google ScholarSee all References American Dental Association policy encourages dentists to promote the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations for this vaccine.7x7American Dental Association. ADA adopts policy supporting HPV vaccine. ()https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/october/ada-adopts-policy-supporting-hpv-vaccine. ()
Google ScholarSee all References,8x8Meites, E., Szilagyi, P.G., Chesson, H.W., Unger, E.R., Romero, J.R., and Markowitz, L.E. Human papillomavirus vaccination for adults: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;
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Google ScholarSee all References Although only Oregon dentists’ scope of practice includes administration of the vaccine, all oral health care professionals can be key players in the prevention of HPV-positive OPSCC via educating their patients or their patients’ parents or guardians about the risks associated with HPV and informing them that the vaccine helps prevents cancer.9x9Mark, A.M. Vaccines for your child: human papillomavirus. JADA. 2018;
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Google ScholarSee all References,10x10American Dental Association. Cancer (head and neck). ()https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/cancer-head-and-neck.
Google ScholarSee all References In addition, dentists can recommend the HPV vaccine for their age-eligible patients and refer them to and collaborate with a health care professional who can administer the vaccine to ensure the continuum of care.11x11National HPV Vaccination Roundtable. Cancer prevention through HPV vaccination: an action guide for dental health care providers. ()http://hpvroundtable.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DENTAL-Action-Guide-WEB.pdf. ()
Google ScholarSee all References The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the use of the vaccine in people aged 9 through 26 years, although the US Food and Drug Administration approves the use of the vaccine in people 9 through 45 years of age.8x8Meites, E., Szilagyi, P.G., Chesson, H.W., Unger, E.R., Romero, J.R., and Markowitz, L.E. Human papillomavirus vaccination for adults: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;
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