A Survey of Human Papillomavirus Content Inclusion in U.S. Dental Hygiene Program Curricula

Abstract

Purpose. Human papillomavirus (HPV) related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) has significantly increased over the past three decades and is expected to continue this trajectory, despite vaccine availability to prevent certain HPV types. While dental hygienists are well-positioned to provide HPV counsel to patients, most do not feel prepared to do so. This study examined HPV content currently taught in didactic and clinical dental hygiene programs. Methods. The cross-sectional study used a 14-question electronic survey sent to 309 U.S. dental hygiene program directors and coordinators in accredited institutions. Data were categorized by institutional type in various settings. The Learning Theory of Andragogy was the theoretical framework used to ground the study. The analysis was limited to descriptive statistics consisting of counts and proportions. Results. Surveys were completed by 90 participants for a response rate of 29%. Most programs (86.7%) spent up to two hours on HPV content. Students across all settings received two hours or less of education on OPC risk (69.4%); HPV screening, referral, and management (82.0%); vaccine knowledge (86.5%); and communication skills about HPV (77.5%), HPV vaccination (82.0%), and HPV patient advocacy (83.1%). Dental hygiene faculty were teaching 94.4% or more of HPV-related content. Few programs (28.6% or less) provided patients with educational materials on HPV. Conclusion. Future research is needed to determine if two hours or less is adequate for student competency and clinical application, investigate faculty training and address the availability of HPV-specific patient resources at dental hygiene student clinics.