Save the Date! Preventing HPV-Related Cancers – The Role of Dental and Health Care Professionals
Maine Department of Health & Human Services sent this bulletin at 04/24/2026 08:35 AM EDT
To: Maine Healthcare Providers
From: Maine Immunization Program
Subject: Save the Date! Preventing HPV-Related Cancers – The Role of Dental and Health Care Professionals
Date: April 24, 2026
Save the Date! Preventing HPV-Related Cancers – The Role of Dental and Health Care Professionals
The Maine Immunization Program is excited to invite you to an informative and empowering lunch and learn webinar on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) — one of the most common yet preventable causes of certain types of cancers. During this educational webinar, participants will learn about HPV-related cancers and the important role dental and health care professionals play in prevention. HPV can often go unnoticed and can lead to serious health issues, including certain types of cancer. The good news is—HPV is preventable! Awareness is our most powerful tool!
We are pleased to be joined by special guest speakers, Dr. Alessandra Villa, Chief of Oral Medicine and Oral Oncology at Miami Cancer Institute and Professor at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, to review HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers and how all health care professionals play a key role in early detection and cancer prevention. Also joining us to share their personal story of surviving oral cancer is Carla Burkley. Dr. Burkley is an OB/GYN in Maine and Ambassador of Head and Neck Cancer Alliance.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn more about preventing HPV-related cancers! Continuing education (CE) credits available to relevant health care professionals.
Virtual Event: Microsoft TEAMS (register for link)
Event Description:
Integrate educational strategies and vaccine advocacy into daily practice
Get the latest updates on prevention and vaccination
Understand the critical role dental and health care professionals play in reducing the burden of HPV-related cancers
Learning Objectives:
Review HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers, incidence trends, risk factors, and shifting demographics of head and neck cancer.
Discuss the role of the dental and health care providers in early detection and prevention of HPV-related cancers.
Identify strategies to integrate HPV education and vaccine conversations at dental and health care settings to improve cancer prevention in Maine.
Continuing Education: Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center is an approved provider with distinction of nursing continuing professional development by the Northeast Multistate Division Education Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 1.0 contact hours Activity Number: 1645
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Southern NH AHEC and Maine CDC. The Southern NH AHEC is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA category 1 Credit (s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. For other professionals: 1.0 professional hours of continuing education
