ORAL MANIFESTATIONS OF HIV DISEASE

Oral disease is frequently associated with HIV. While nearly all oral disorders associated with HN infection also occur in other conditions characterized by immunosuppression, no other condition is associated w ith as wide and significant a spectrum of oral disease as is HIV infec tion. Many HIV-associated oral disorders occur early in HIV infection, not infrequently as the presenting sign or symptom. Thus, early detec tion of associated oral disease should, in many cases, result in earli er diagnosis of HIV infection. Likewise, awareness of the variety of o ral disorders which can develop throughout the course of HIV infection , and coordination of health care services between physician and denti st, should improve overall health and comfort of the patient. This pap er reviews the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of HIV-ass ociated oral disorders.