Nurse Leader Highlights Dental-Based HPV Prevention Model at 52nd Annual Arizona Rural Health Conference
FLAGSTAFF, AZ — Kelsey Vincent, RN, Clinical Health Services Sr. Program Manager at Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc. (CCHCI), presented “Transforming Dental Settings into Prevention Powerhouses: Tackling HPV & Oral Cancer Through Immunization” at the 52nd Annual Arizona Rural Health Conference in Flagstaff on June 3, 2026.
During the presentation, Vincent shared results from a CCHCI-led program that integrates vaccine delivery into routine dental visits as an innovative response to declining immunization rates. By bringing immunizations into the dental setting, CCHCI is using frequent patient touchpoints and trusted provider relationships to reduce missed opportunities for prevention.
Integrating Oral Health Care and Cancer Prevention
The approach reflects a natural connection between oral health care and the prevention of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers, positioning dental visits as a meaningful entry point for early cancer prevention.
After reviewing program data, Vincent identified this HPV prevention dental model as the highest-impact opportunity for rural communities, especially when started at age 9, before many children reach more traditional medical touchpoints.
“We are no longer just treating the mouth. We are preventing cancer,” Vincent told attendees.
Key Results of the CCHCI Initiative
Vincent refined the strategy through targeted education, chairside conversations, and messaging that framed HPV vaccination as oral cancer prevention. Following that shift in focus, the organization achieved significant milestones:
- A 24% increase in HPV vaccine acceptance within dental facilities.
- Earlier intervention by targeting conversations starting at age 9.
- Stronger provider alignment bridging the gap between oral and systemic medical health.
Vincent shared her hope of expanding the model beyond Chiricahua to help prevent more HPV-related cancers. She encouraged dental providers to begin these conversations with patients and families, even if they are not able to administer the vaccine directly, emphasizing the importance of education, encouragement, and referral. She noted that nearly everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer and underscored that HPV vaccination offers a meaningful opportunity for cancer prevention that should not be missed.
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