125 - Parental Perceptions of HPV and the Pediatric Dentist

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate parental perceptions of the pediatric dentist’s (PD) role in human papillomavirus (HPV) education, vaccine recommendation and administration in a dental setting.



Methods: A 24-itemed survey was administered to parents of patients at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Pediatric Dental Clinic. Statistical analysis consisted of descriptive and bivariate analysis (alpha=0.05).



Results: In total, 284 surveys were collected August-October 2021. Eighty-one percent of respondents identified as mother, 56% were unaware of the association between oral cancer and HPV, 62% felt it important for a PD to educate families about HPV, 58% reported being comfortable receiving information about HPV from a PD, and 44% felt it appropriate to include HPV vaccination status in the dental-medical history. Bivariate analysis indicated significant associations between parents with at least some college education and their willingness to receive vaccine information, the importance of a PD to provide HPV vaccine education, and the inclusion of HPV vaccination status in dental medical history (P < .05). Those with private insurance (including state children’s health insurance) felt more comfortable with a PD giving the HPV vaccine and including HPV vaccination status in dental-medical history (P < .05). The parent being vaccinated was significant for knowledge about the association of HPV and oral cancer (P < .01).



Conclusion: Parental education level and insurance status may play a role in their acceptance of HPV vaccination and information from a pediatric dentist. Parents’ own vaccine status may contribute to their own HPV knowledge.