title: Syphilis: an update.
abstract: Syphilis can be spread during the practice of dentistry by direct contact with mucosal lesions of primary and secondary syphilis or blood and saliva from infected patients. The dentist also can play an important role in the control of syphilis by identification of the signs and symptoms of syphilis, patient education, and referral. The incidence of syphilis and the impact of control measures are presented with the emphasis on the past 5 years. The signs and symptoms of primary, secondary, latent, and late (tertiary) syphilis are reviewed. Current medical treatment is presented. The oral manifestations of syphilis are discussed as well as the dental management of the infected patient.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, Naples, Florida 34102-7021, USA. Wlittle17@comcast.net
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Little
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000209:etiology; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology*; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000276:immunology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D010406:Penicillins