Oral manifestations of hivinfection and aids: an update onclinical diagnosis and management

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been a great challenge for dental and medical health care professionals. Dentists are in daily contact with HIV positive patients.In most populations, HIV-infected patients suffer from racism and discrimination and often avoid reporting their medical history. But in many cases, patients are unaware of being infected, and such situations would definitely increase the risk of cross-infection in dental surgeries. Multiple periodontal and oral lesions are strongly associated with HIV infection and AIDS, but with the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) therapy, patients are now sustaining long and fulfilling lives. Hospital dentists, oral pathologists, and oral surgeons have a major role in early detection of HIV/AIDS -related oral lesions. These periodontal and oral manifestations are markers of immune suppression and their early recognition can reduce patients' morbidity and improve their welfare.Dental knowledge and expertise are mandatory for an appropriate management of these oral manifestations. The purpose of this paper is to provide dental professionals with baseline knowledge on oral manifestations of HIV infection and AIDS, help them identify and diagnose such pathologies, and assist HIV positive individuals in getting timely treatment.