West Virginia’s HPV vaccination rates lag below the national average. The state has some of the highest rates for cancers associated with the virus.
Some oral health care providers in the state say there’s a promising way for West Virginia to address both problems, but it’s going to require lawmakers to approve changes to state code.
The West Virginia Oral Health Coalition and other organizations want the state Legislature to pass legislation allowing dentists and dental hygienists to administer the HPV vaccine.
“(Dental providers are a) ready, educated workforce that can increase access to care around cancer prevention,” said Gina Sharps, executive director of the West Virginia Oral Health Coalition. “By recognizing and authorizing dentists and dental hygienists with local anesthetic permits to administer that, then we’re just casting a wider net when we look at cancer prevention.”
Read more here: Groups propose legislation allowing West Virginia dentists, hygienists to administer HPV vaccine • West Virginia Watch
