Dentists take call for HPV vaccinations to social media

HPV is the cause of numerous diseases, including oral cancer. It has been estimated that HPV is the cause of five per cent of all cancer cases.

The BDA is one of 44 organisations supporting the HPV Action coalition – that is looking to see the current UK vaccination programme for girls extended to include all adolescent boys.

The dentists’ group is now asking members to join HPV Action’s new ThunderClap, to mark European Immunisation Week (April 24-30). The online platform enables campaigners to rally people together to send a common message on social media.  

Russ Ladwa, chair of the BDA’s Health and Science Committee, said:

“Dentists are on the front line in the battle against oral cancer. The condition is now the tenth most common cancer among men and government can and should be doing more to prevent the condition.

“This European Immunisation Week we are proud to support HPV Action’s fight for the current UK vaccination programme for girls to include all adolescent boys. The failure to provide a gender neutral programme is unfair to boys and is costing lives.