Oral HPV in Clinical Practice: Screening, Risk, and Early Detection

Posted on April 3, 2026April 1, 2026 by Diane Larson RDH, BSDH

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month – a timely reminder that HPV is the leading factor and part of the cause of oral cancers, with about 70% of cases linked to the virus.(1) This marks a shift from the historical focus on tobacco and alcohol abuse as the cause. Today, understanding oral HPV transmission, persistence, and testing is an important stance in one's ability to provide cutting edge patient care. How Is Oral HPV Transmitted? Oral HPV is a common virus that can be transmitted t...

Connecting the Dots: A Role for Inflammation in Oral and Pharyngeal Cancers

Posted on September 1, 2017May 19, 2021 by Ronald C. McGlennen, MD

September is sexual health awareness month. In recognition, enjoy a previous post by Dr McGlennen regarding oral health and sexual health. It is important to understand the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of squamous cancers of the head and neck. But it seems there is missing a fuller appreciation of other key risk factors at work with the virus, to cause bad things to happen to cells in the mouth and throat. HPV infection is very common, and with the sensitive molecular...

Routine dental hygiene… is never routine!

Posted on August 11, 2017May 19, 2021 by John Kempton DDS

The Merrian-Webster defines paradigm shift as “an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new and different way.” There is a definite paradigm shift in dentistry and a strive to parallel our dental profession to our medical counterparts. Dr John Kempton is on this front line, helping address oral systemic health with direct patient care and as a leader inspiring others to a higher quality of care. Dr John Kempton will be our gues...