Offering HPV Vaccines At Dental Clinics Increased Uptake Among Pediatric Patients, Study Finds

Healio (4/18, Kellner, L. DiBerardino) reported a study found that “partnering with dental clinics to offer HPV vaccines to eligible children and adolescents improved vaccination rates by more than 8 percentage points in 1 year.” Researchers observed that “in the year before the intervention began, 5.3% of eligible patients received the HPV vaccine at dental visits. Uptake rose to 13.9% during the intervention period.” In an adjusted analysis, researchers stated that “patients were 4 times more likely to get their HPV vaccine at the dental clinic during the intervention period vs. before the intervention began.” They concluded, “In the current climate of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, it is crucial that every health care professional reinforces the importance of vaccination.” The study was published in Pediatrics.