Pediatric Dentistry Clinic administers HPV vaccine

The UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry Department of Pediatric Dentistry broke new ground in its expansion of services by administering the HPV vaccine. The vaccine marks the first administration to a patient visiting the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic.

Continuing the School of Dentistry’s mission to improve human health, patient education and possible administration of cancer-preventing vaccines can help advance patients’ lives.

“The rate of HPV vaccination is stagnant and there are opportunities for improvement,” said Director of General Practice and Dental Public Health Ana Neumann, DDS, MPH, PhD, when asked about the importance of promoting a cancer-prevention vaccine.

“We were looking into identifying a population that may not be reached by the physician or the community clinics. Patients come to dentist offices more often, dentists are trusted providers, and I believe the direction of the profession is heading into integrating general health into oral health.”

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is common and a few aggressive subtypes are a risk factor for head and neck cancers developing in the oropharyngeal area. In most cases of oropharyngeal cancer (70%), HPV is the cause.

“It’s a common infection, but the saving grace is that it can be prevented with a vaccine, which is something we now have experience with,” said Neumann. “We can’t talk to patients about head and neck cancer prevention while ignoring one of the main risk factors in head and neck cancers.”

The CDC recommends HPV vaccination for preteens ages 11 to 12, starting as early as age 9, and for everyone through age 26.

“Since the beginning of this project, approximately 10% of the pediatric dentistry patients have expressed an interest in receiving the vaccine,” said Associate Professor Lubna Fawad, DDS, who coordinated the patient appointment. “There are definite plans to continue the counseling for and delivery of the vaccine to School of Dentistry patients.”

Fawad sees this milestone as an important contribution to the school’s mission.

“Research has shown the effect of systemic disease on oral health and vice versa,” she said. “These cancers can lead to pain, disfigurement, loss of function, and an overall decrease in the quality of life of the patients. It therefore seems important to be able to provide all our patients with the option of receiving this vaccine.”

Under Neumann’s principal investigation and leadership of Fawad, Daisy Mullassery, DrNP, RN, WHNP-BC, faculty from the Cizik School of Nursing, signed the standing order and administered the vaccine. The vaccine transport, storage, and communication with the parent in Spanish was coordinated by Rosalia Rey, DDS. The project was made possible through funds from the HPV Vaccination Implementation Initiative at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Also involved in this milestone was the leadership of co-investigator Anita Joy-Thomas, BDS, PhD, chair of the Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences; Shalizeh “Shelly” Patel, DDS, MEd, associate dean of patient care; Gregory Olson, DDS, MSc, chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry; Gary Frey, DDS, chair of General Practice and Dental Public Health; Mary C. “Cindy” Farach-Carson, PhD, associate dean for research; and Augustus Gerald Bellot, a research coordinator who identified the right refrigerator to store the vaccine properly.