AUTHOR(S): Fatema H Lukmani, Junaid Ahmed and Ravikiran Ongole

ABSTRACT:HIV/AIDS epidemic contributes to the global burden of disease significantly. In India, with initiation of the ART programme in 2004, greater number of people living with HIV have access to treatment. HIV transmission via the oral cavity has been a debatable concept. Multiple studies have failed to isolate the virus in the oral epithelial cells, and therefore, absence of virus in the oral cavity makes its transmission questionable. Global efforts to limit transmission of the disease must be augmented with early recognition, diagnosis and institution of HAART. Oral manifestations of HIV are highly characteristic. Within the purview of dental practice, the most salient clinical features of HIV can be divided based on general clinical features and extra-oral and intra-oral manifestations. Gingival changes such as necrotising ulcerative gingivitis and periodontitis, linear gingival erythema, oral candidiasis and oral hairy leukoplakia are common oral manifestations in almost 60% of HIV infected individuals. It is also believed that approx. 80% of individuals with AIDS exhibit there oral changes. When coupled with knowledge of other cardinal features, an early diagnosis of HIV can be made. As a result, better patient outcomes are seen, with a resultant decline in AIDS-related mortality. This results in more patients requiring oral and dental care who will seek treatment for complaints which may or may not be related to their immune status. This requires clinicians to be abreast of the latest literature in academic forums. Thus, this review aims to update the dental practitioner on the latest clinical attributes and oral manifestations in people living with HIV.

Pages: 296-300  |  1588 Views  279 Downloads