Dental Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes about Human Papillomavirus Prevention

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to assess knowledge and attitudes about human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccination for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) prevention in first-year through fourth-year dental students. Methods: In this cross-sectional quantitative study, surveys assessed knowledge and attitudes about HPV, HPV-related OPC, and HPV vaccination of incoming first-year dental students (D1), outgoing first- and second-year dental students (D1–D2), and outgoing third- and fourth-year dental students (D3–D4). After completing a 40-item pre-training knowledge and attitude assessment survey, a one-time, one-hour national HPV training session was conducted. An 8-item attitudinal post-survey was completed after training. Results: Of 173 participants (75.9% response rate), over 85% did not know that the rate of HPV is not highest among women in their 30s, and only 11% to 28% knew that smoking-associated OPC is more deadly than HPV-associated OPC. While participants overall expressed willingness to administer the HPV vaccine, the willingness of dental students to do so in their future practice tapered off progressively through dental school year categories (p < 0.001). Among outgoing D1–D4 students, the one-hour HPV training increased participants’ self-perceived ability to describe the burden of HPV disease, discuss the importance of HPV vaccination for cancer prevention, and provide needed HPV vaccination information to parents (all p ≤ 0.004). Conclusions: Understanding deficits in dental student knowledge and attitudes across the 4 years of dental school may help dental educators better understand the timing and content needed for effective HPV training in the dental school curriculum to reduce HPV-associated OPC prevalence.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Education and Knowledge Among Medical and Dental Trainees

“…As the care for patients with HPV-related illnesses and cancer required input from providers in different fields of medicine and dentistry, it is imperative that all providers are familiar with the most up-to-date HPV cancer prevention practices. Similar to our study, Wright et al identified an important knowledge gap in baseline HPV understanding among dental students across all 4 years at an accredited US dental school [12]. Laitman et al also reported an educational gap in HPV knowledge among medical students and found that only 50% of medical students surveyed from 10 medical schools in New York State knew about the association of HPV and head and neck cancers [13].…”

“…Similar to our study, Wright et al identified an important knowledge gap in baseline HPV understanding among dental students across all 4 years at an accredited US dental school [ 12 ]. Laitman et al also reported an educational gap in HPV knowledge among medical students and found that only 50% of medical students surveyed from 10 medical schools in New York State knew about the association of HPV and head and neck cancers [ 13 ].…”

Assessing the Knowledge of HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, HPV Vaccination, and Practice Scope among Saudi Dental Students in the Western Region

“…HAPO-02-K-012-2022-11-1257) and King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, SA (approval no. 123- [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

“…Globally, the dental bachelor programs offer hands-on experience, with students actively engaging with patients in clinics. Thus, dental students' knowledge of HPV-OPSCC is critical in identifying risk factors, prompting vaccination, and facilitating early intervention, thereby significantly contributing to public health initiatives aimed at reducing the burden of HPV-associated diseases [20]. In SA, previous studies identified a lack of HPV knowledge among dental students, necessitating curriculum enhancements, yet research on their understanding of HPV-OPSCC, attitudes toward HPV vaccination, and their roles in disease prevention and patient education remains limited [21,22].…”