Ellen Daley (United States of America)

University of South Florida College of Public Health

Presenter of 1 Presentation

 Conference Calendar
Public Health / Epidemiology / Psychological Aspects on HPV-related Interventions ePoster

PATIENT COMFORT WITH DISCUSSING HPV AND NON-HPV RISK FACTORS FOR OROPHARYNGEAL CANCER WITH DENTAL PROVIDERS (ID 991)

Session Date
07/21/2020
Session Time
10:00 - 17:00
Room
ePoster
Session Type
Poster Viewing - 20-24 July
Session Name
Public Health / Epidemiology / Psychological Aspects on HPV-related Interventions
Lecture Time
10:01 - 10:02
Presenter
Authors

Abstract

Introduction

Introduction: Recent studies show that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is now the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Although tobacco and alcohol use were historically known to be risk factors for OPC, 70% of all cases are now caused by HPV. Dental providers are critical to the prevention of HPV-related OPC, and previous research indicates that they have embraced their new role in HPV prevention. The purpose of this study was to assess patients’ comfort with discussing HPV as a risk factor for OPC with dental providers.

Methods

Methods: Perspectives of US adults ages 18 to 45 (n=298) regarding the acceptability of dental providers’ role in HPV-related OPC prevention were assessed through anonymous surveys completed via Qualtrics. Paired sample t-test and two-way ANOVA were conducted to assess patient comfort levels discussing HPV versus non-HPV related risk factors for OPC with dental providers. Comfort levels were also analyzed by provider role. All analyses were conducted in SPSS 25.

Results

Results: Participants were more comfortable discussing non-HPV related OPC risk factors (alcohol, tobacco, sun damage) than discussing HPV with dental providers (p=.003, ƞ2=.0287). For non-HPV related OPC risk factors, participants were most comfortable discussing tobacco (p=0.003, ƞ2=.0289) and least comfortable discussing sun damage (p=0.038, ƞ2=3.805) with dental providers. Participants were still less comfortable discussing HPV with dental providers, regardless of the non-HPV related OPC risk factor. These findings were consistent across dentists (p=0.017, ƞ2=.0189) and dental hygienists (p=0.006, ƞ2=.0254).

Conclusions

Conclusions: This study adds a critical dimension to the prevention of OPC in dental offices, indicating that patients may be less comfortable discussing HPV with dental providers compared to non-HPV related risk factors. Given that dental providers are aware of their unique role in HPV prevention, future research should explore patient and provider preferences for HPV-related communication.

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