Oral Pathology
Ashley B. Heller, DMD (she/her/hers)
Resident
University of Florida —Gainesville and Naples, Naples, FL
University of Florida College of Dentistry
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Edna Perez, n/a
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Abimbola O. Adewumi, BDS, FDSRCS
Program Director
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Purpose: Studies indicate that oral healthcare providers, including pediatric dentists, are not always confident talking to patients about Human Papillomavirus (HPV). A previous study found that only 35% of pediatric dental residents felt prepared and comfortable discussing HPV prevention with patients/parents. The purpose of this study is to test whether an educational intervention can increase pediatric and general dentists’ preparedness and comfort to discuss HPV prevention with patients/parents.
Methods: Pediatric and general dentists who attended CE courses at UF and those on the AAPD listserv were emailed a pre-module survey followed by an online HPV educational module. Participants then completed a post-module survey immediately following, and after 1-month.
Results: Of the 320 dentists (84% pediatric, 14% general, .01% not practicing), who completed the pre-module survey, 138 completed the post-module survey, and 56 completed the 1-month follow-up. There was a statistically significant increase in preparedness to discuss HPV with patients/parents from pre to post-module survey [Pre (27%) vs. Post (75%), P < .001] with no significant change after 1-month [Pre (27%) vs. 1-month (49%), P < .007]. There was a statistically significant increase in comfort to discuss HPV with patients/parents from pre-module to post-module survey [Pre (28%) vs. Post (60%), P < .001] and after 1-month [Pre (28%) vs. 1-month (39%), P=.02].
Conclusions: Participants largely thought the module was useful in increasing preparedness and comfort and clarified their role in discussing HPV with patients/parents.