title: Global oral health inequalities: oral infections-challenges and approaches.
abstract: Four oral mucosal infections were identified as Global Oral Health Priorities: (a) HIV and associated viral, bacterial, and fungal infections; (b) tuberculosis; (c) NOMA; and (d) sexually transmitted diseases. Huge global inequalities exist in all four. HIV-associated infections constitute the major challenge. Oral manifestations of AIDS can be specifically diagnostic, indicating a significant role for dentists within health teams. The World Workshops in Oral Health & Disease in AIDS have identified a research program, elements of which are being implemented. Data on oral mucosal involvement in tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea are incomplete in developed countries and virtually non-existent in low- and middle-income countries, indicating the need for further epidemiological studies. Oral manifestations of tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases are largely associated with general health, so action programs should be integrated with agencies treating the systemic diseases. NOMA is very much in the oral health domain. It is a preventable disease associated with malnutrition and unidentified bacterial factors. Prevalence is probably grossly overestimated at present; but nevertheless it constitutes a challenge to the profession, especially in the NOMA belt. Current treatment is surgical, but plans for its eradication should be achievable. The global oral health community, especially the IADR, has a major role to play.
authors.affiliation: King's College London Dental Institute, Central Office, Guys Hospital, London, UK. stephen.challacombe@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Challacombe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chidzonga
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glick
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hodgson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shiboski
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Owotade
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ranganathan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naidoo
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D018865:Dental Research; D014943:Global Health; D006292:Health Priorities; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D009625:Noma / Q000453:epidemiology; D009909:Oral Health; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D014393:Tuberculosis, Oral / Q000453:epidemiology