The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has become a growing point of interest in the medical and dental world alike. New vaccines for youth and new links to oropharyngeal cancer have brought it into the spot light in recent years. The link between oral health and HPV related oral cancer is elucidated with every new study that emerges. Most recently, the Journal of Cancer Prevention Research demonstrated that 40 to 80 percent of oropharyngeal cancers is associated with HPV. They described poor health as being an independent risk factor for HPV infection. People who reported poor additional risk factors increased the likelihood of oral HPV infection: being male, smoking cigarettes and marijuana and oral sex habits. The good news is that patients can control some of these risk factors. Good oral health, regular hygiene visits and routine dental checks will help prevent HPV infection and subsequent HPV-related cancers.