The role of dental professionals in managing HPV infection and oral cancer

Introduction: A dramatic increase in the number of cases of head and neck cancers in the U.S. Oropharyngeal cancers (OPCs) have been found to be linked to strains of high-risk human papillomavirus infections. 1 The purpose of this paper is to review recent updates on the spread of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection and the increase of oral cancer, as well as the potential roles of dental professionals in the prevention of HPV infection and oral cancer. Also, to help guide dental professionals about their important role in prevention and patient counselling related to HPV infection and oral cancer. Methods: The literature review was conducted via the examination of 110 scholarly articles, which were published between 2010 and 2019. For these articles, inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, which resulted in the selection of 41 sources relevant to the issue. Inclusion criteria were articles related to oral cancer prevalence (epidemiology), HPV, the role of dental professionals, risky sexual practices, HPV vaccine, barriers, and recommendations. For exclusion criteria, articles which were completed outside the United States and Canada, in languages other than English, or were only partially available, were avoided. Additionally, technical articles and articles which precede more recent ones on the same topic were eliminated. Conclusion: Dental professionals are encouraged to be part of this prevention effort against HPV infection.