HIV disease: medical and dental aspects and trends for the future. A literature review.
The pandemic dimension of HIV disease is a reality. The cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (Aids) and of new infections with HIV continue to increase. Available antiretroviral therapy cannot halt the progress of the disease. However, because of early diagnosis and treatment, life expectancy has increased. Oral diseases in these patients have the potential to cause severe pain, discomfort, alter form and function and disseminate systemically. Comprehensive dental management may be complicated by complex medical problems. Nevertheless, as the epidemic grows, a higher number of infected individuals will need dental care. A comprehensive dental management concept of the HIV-seropositive individual still needs scientific investigation. There are several unresolved psychosocial issues concerning the willingness of dentists to treat HIV-infected patients. The possible transmission of the virus from a dentist to his patients in a dental office in Florida generated public and professional hysteria. Lack of knowledge about the disease contributed to this situation. This literature review presents the state-of-the-art information available on medical and dental aspects of HIV disease and trends for the future in dental research, education and patient care.
Migliorati
C A
CA
Public Oral Health Clinic Zurich.
Koller
M M
MM
D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D014943:Global Health; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012106:Research / Q000639:trends
D016915:AIDS Vaccines