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HPV & Oral Cancer: Exploring the Link, 2nd Edition

90

Course Overview
The increasing incidence of HPV-related oral cancer is a significant health concern for all healthcare providers [3]. As is the case with other cancers, early detection and timely treatment of HPV-related oral cancers can reduce the number of deaths from this disease [9]. Because dentists are the most frequently visited healthcare providers in the United States, the profession is well positioned to play a role in the education, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HPV-related oral cancer [9]. Regular dental checkups that include a comprehensive head and neck examination can be beneficial in the early identification of precancerous and cancerous lesions. As the general public’s awareness of the relationship between oral cancer and HPV increases, patients will increasingly rely on dentists and dental hygienists for HPV-related information. Specifically, dental patients may have questions about their risk of infection, their risk of developing cancer, and the protective value of available HPV vaccines [3]. The established relationship between HPV and oral cancer will require dental providers to expand traditional patient education topics (i.e., tobacco and alcohol) to include information on HPV [10]. Given the association between HPV and oral cancer, dental professionals will need to understand the fundamentals of HPV and to develop communication skills appropriate for responding to patient inquiries and concerns as part of a comprehensive approach to preventive oral health care [7]. 
This intermediate-level course is designed to address the concerns of dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants by providing them with general information about HPV, evidence of the association between oral HPV and oral cancer, and effective ways to further communicate this information to patients. This course provides dental professionals with information that will enable them to effectively meet the challenges they face as the link between HPV and oral health continues to emerge.

Learning Outcomes 
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:

  • Describe the human papillomavirus (HPV), including its prevalence, risk factors, symptoms, and links to cancer.
  • Describe oral HPV, including its prevalence, risk factors, symptoms, modes of transmission, and detection.
  • Discuss the prevalence, manifestations, and diagnosis of HPV-related oral cancer.
  • Explain the economic impact of HPV.
  • Identify the key tools for preventing the transmission of HPV.
  • Describe the dentist’s role in discussing HPV with patients. 

About the Author/Presenter 
Mark J. Szarejko, DDS, FAGD, received his dental degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1985 and fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in 1994. He has been in private practice for 16 years, with the balance involved in correctional (county jail) dentistry, from which he retired in 2023. In 2007, he received the Certified Correctional HealthCare Professional (CCHP) designation from the National Commission of Correctional Healthcare. He has authored and edited many dental continuing education courses and has given presentations on varied topics to local, regional, and national audiences. He has been an examiner for the dental and dental hygiene licensure exams for the Northeastern Regional Boards (NERBS), now the American Board of Dental Examiners, since 1994. He has also reviewed standard-of-care cases for the state of Florida and for private companies. 

Audience/Accreditations and Approvals 
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE 
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details): 
Dental AGD Code: 730

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