Oral lesions are among the earliest clinical manifestations of human immunodeficiency (HIV) infection and are important in early diagnosis and for monitoring the progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Common or notable HIV-related oral conditions include candidiasis, oral hairy leukoplakia, periodontal diseases such as linear gingival erythema and necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis, Kaposi’s sarcoma, Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and ulcerative conditions including herpes simplex virus lesions, recurrent aphthous ulcers. Therefore, rapid oral HIV testing offers a promising innovation for early HIV diagnosis and for several reasons, dental offices provide a promising venue for such testing. The present paper discusses in detail the oral manifestations and diagnostic criteria of HIV infection.
