Lukes, S., Meneses, M. (2010). The dental hygienists role in hpv recognition.

Retrieved March
9, 2015, from http://www.dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/ddhnoright.aspx?id=8530&term=
the%20dental%20hygienists%20role%20in%20hpv%20recognition

Intra-oral and extra-oral exams are an important role of the dental hygienist during each
appointment. Abnormalities that are detected in the mouth, as well as outside of the mouth, can
help in the diagnosis of systemic problems in patients. In the article, The Dental Hygienists Role
in HPV Recognition, there are four different clinical findings of HPV that are frequently found in
patients. There are over 100 types of HPV that exist and can affect humans. Some of these can
lead to cancer and if found in the mouth, can lead to oral cancer.
The article affects me because it is a big role that I will play in my profession now and in
the future. I have to be able to detect abnormalities in and around the oral cavity in my patients
and distinguish what is abnormal and what is normal. This article allows me to learn information
about more lesions that can take place in and around the oral cavity and how to differentiate
between the lesions and what may be the cause of them.
I agree with the information that is presented in this article. There are a lot of facts about
each of the four frequently seen lesions and the characteristics of each one. The article also talks
about the role dental hygienists play in HPV and oral cancer. This is information I agree with
because the extra-oral and intra-oral examinations are a very important job role that we must
learn to appreciate and take advantage of.
From this article I learned a lot of information. I was able to learn about four different
lesions that are associated with HPV and their clinical characteristics. The first lesion, squamous
papilloma is the most common lesion found associated with HPV. It is a benign lesion that can be

located almost anywhere intra-orally. Verruca vulgaris, the second lesion discussed, is more
commonly found on the skin than intra-orally. Condyloma acuminatum is another lesion
discussed in the article which is also known to be found in patients with HIV. The final lesion,
focal epithelial hyperplasia is also known as Hecks disease. It is more commonly found in
children of certain ethnic groups of indigenous peoples of North America, Central America, and
South America.
This information is relatable to a few things already learned in previous courses. I have
an understanding for the great amount of HPV strands and that all are different in their own way.
I also am aware that as a dental hygienist, I can find clinical symptoms in the oral cavity that can
relate to other diseases in the body.
Being able to distinguish abnormalities from variants of normal in our patients can be a
big deal. It is one of the most important roles we play as hygienists. It can lead to a small
diagnosis of something that is not life threatening, to a diagnosis that can end up saving a
patients life.