{"id":27773,"date":"2025-04-04T12:00:42","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T17:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/?p=27773"},"modified":"2025-04-18T11:26:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T16:26:40","slug":"protect-patient-health-with-salivary-diagnostics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/2025\/04\/04\/protect-patient-health-with-salivary-diagnostics\/","title":{"rendered":"Protect Patient Health with Salivary Diagnostics"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Persistent oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infections have been linked to an increased risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Over 200 strains of HPV have been identified. The high-risk types, HPV-16 and HPV-18 are associated with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The CDC reports that HPV is responsible for approximately 70% of oropharyngeal cancer in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

Approximately 90% of oral HPV infections clear on their own within two years. Those that persist are linked to an increased risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. As a dental hygienist, I feel deeply that one of my most important responsibilities is the early detection of head and neck cancer. HPV infections are generally asymptomatic which makes early detection challenging. In addition, this is complicated by the fact that in dentistry, we don\u2019t have the technology or expertise to fully visualize the oropharynx where approximately 70% of HPV-positive cancers are located. To overcome this impediment, we can monitor our patient\u2019s HPV status with salivary diagnostic testing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many of my coaching clients have shared that they feel uncomfortable discussing a sexually transmitted disease with their patients, as if that\u2019s outside of our scope of practice, which it is not. It is, however, outside of our comfort zone. Discussing sexually transmitted diseases was never taught when I was in dental hygiene school. Forty years ago, when I was in school, I never imagined having those conversations myself. Yet, I have learned to get over my own discomfort and have those straightforward conversations with my patients. I encourage my clients to step out of their comfort zones and share this important information with their patients, too. When we speak forthrightly and with confidence, we can help relieve our patient\u2019s discomfort, as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

While I\u2019m performing my extra-oral and intraoral head and neck cancer screening, I typically share the following facts with patients to open the conversation:<\/span><\/p>\n