title: Periodontal disease and oral hygiene benefits in HIV seropositive and AIDS patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The frequency of gingival and periodontal disease in HIV-seropositive and AIDS patients was investigated in order to evaluate the oral hygiene benefits of using mechanical therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  thirty-two consenting HIV-positive patients were examined. Their gingival and periodontal status were evaluated using the Gingival Index and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index. The data were assessed at baseline, after three months and after six months. Subjects received mechanical therapy, which included calculus removal, scaling and root planning, tooth polishing and oral hygiene instructions. The maintenance of oral hygiene was performed weekly. HIV staging and CD4 counts were also investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the baseline, gingival and periodontal disease was present in 71.9% of all subjects. Chronic gingivitis (43.8%) was the most frequent in all subjects. A clear improvement in gingival health was registered in 78.2% of subjects after six months of mechanical therapy. No association was registered between CD4 count and gingival/periodontal status or attachment loss with HIV staging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic gingivitis was the most frequent disease in HIV infected and AIDS patients. Oral hygiene using mechanical therapy improves the gingival condition, suggesting that it is an important step in the maintenance of periodontal health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvinha S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lemos
authors.forename: Flávia A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Eneida F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Vencio
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*