Preventing HPV-Related Infections

By Cynthia L. Stull, BSDH, MDH and Elise Sarvas, DDS, MSD, MPH

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a double-stranded DNA virus that only infects humans. It is a small, nonenveloped, capsid that initially infects the basal epithelial cells through microscopic breaks in the skin.^1,2 It is the most commonly transmitted sexual infection and can cause a range of serious diseases, including the majority of cervical cancers, other anogenital cancers, and approximately half of head and neck cancers.³ The recent development of an HPV vaccine will help to decrease the spread of this virus and potentially prevent cancer. Oral health professionals need to be knowledgeable about the HPV vaccine so they can effectively educate their patients.

* References can be found in the original article via the link below.

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