Sharuga, C. R., Price, T., & Dotson, D. (2012). Educate your patients about hpv.

Dimensions of Dental

Hygiene, 52-55.

Human papillomavirus is an infectious disease that can be group into low-risk for

cervical cancer, and high-risk. There are over 100 strains of HPV that can be categorized

accordingly. It can cause healthy cells to change, but the body cannot always heal the cells back

to normal. Oral lesions can be found in the mouth, nasal passages, and throat, some of which

being benign. Although several are benign, HPV is a big concern for head and neck cancer. Oral

cancers are often asymptomatic and can have cure rates drop from 90% down to 45% when not

found early. The article explains how HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that have risk factors

that hygienists are able to discuss in a preventative way with patients. Oral lesions to be aware of

in the dental office are tissue colored or white colored bumpy, wart-like lesions, that can be

raised on a stalk. Intraoral exams are important to collect data and inform the dentist about if

there are suspicious lesions.

In unit 104 we discussed HPV when talking about infectious diseases. It is vital for me to

know the detection and the risks involved with HPV as it has become a common virus. As a

student it will be important for me to educate patients in clinic of the dangers associated with

HPV, specifically its role in head and neck cancer. I was interested to learn how common HPV is

in causing oral cancer. We discussed in class that it can cause oral cancer, and I have always

been taught that it can commonly cause cervical cancer, but it was jarring to learn it is one of the

two pathways which causes oropharyngeal cancer other than tobacco/alcohol. We preach a lot

about tobacco use, but this article has shown me the importance of discussing HPV risk factors

with patients that will play a pivotal role in my career moving forward to help better serve my
patients. The only information I think was lacking or that I would have liken further discussion

about was the way in which to go about discussing with patients their risk factors surrounding

HPV. Specifically, when one of the risk factors is young age at first intercourse. While these

conversations may be awkward with adult patients, I am curious about if they can even be held

with minors as it could be something their guardian needs to give clearance for. That also brings

another dilemma as some people may not feel comfortable answering the questions truthfully

around guardians. I can see it going both ways. On one hand I can imagine a parent being upset

their teenager is getting asked about their sexual history at a seemingly unrelated dental

appointment, and on the other hand I can see teenagers not wanting to divulge personal

information while their parents are present. Examples of going about those conversations would

have been helpful, but overall the article was well organized.

 104.8 Complete a literature review about an infectious disease