LAUSR

BACKGROUND Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas are increasing in incidence. Risk factors include sexual behaviour, high-risk oral HPV infection and poor oral hygiene. We aimed to provide initial information on the prevalence and assess the feasibility of testing in dental settings. METHODS Patients ≥18 years old attending dental clinics in Sydney, Australia, were recruited, oral hygiene assessed, and 10ml saline oral rinses obtained. Rinses were tested for HBG and HPV by PCR. Participants completed demographic and behavioural questionnaires. RESULTS The mean age was 48 years, of whom 131 (43.6%) were male. HPV genotypes, one each of 16, 66, 51, 35, 58 in five participants, and 18 and 52 in one participant, were detected in six samples (2.0%), all men. Oral sex was reported by 89 (67.9%) male participants. One participant (4.3%) of the 23 with poor OH had at least one HPV genotype detected. DISCUSSION With dental patients willing to provide rinse samples and disclose potentially sensitive information, we found the hrHPV prevalence of 2%. Given large proportions of the general population attending dental clinics regularly, dentists may be ideally placed to screen for oropharyngeal carcinoma and contribute to the currently limited knowledge of oral HPV prevalence in Australian adults. © 2022 Australian Dental Association.