Oral complications of HIV disease in children in the post 1998 era of HAART : a descriptive cross sectional study of prevalences, retrospective and clinical

Abstract

INTRODUCTION : The administration of HAART* has changed the frequency and character of the oral complications of HIV disease. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : This study describes and compares the incidence and status of dental caries and the number and type of oral mucosal lesions in hospital outpatients with these data in institutionalized children who had accepted a dedicated oral and dental management programme for HIV-infected patients. DESIGN : This was a retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study in which existing medical records were reviewed and a clinical examination performed. METHODS : The oral cavity of each patient was examined by two calibrated clinicians who used mouth mirrors under artificial light. The presence and status of dental caries and the presence of oral soft tissue lesions were recorded using, respectively, the WHO Oral Health Surveys Basic Methods and the diagnostic classification and criteria for oral soft tissue lesions associated with HIV of the ECClearinghouse. RESULTS : Oral lesions and dental caries were significantly higher (p<0.001) in hospital outpatients than in institutionalized children. Caries prevalence (p = 0.002) and severity p<0.0001) were significantly higher in hospital outpatient children receiving HAART than in those not on HAART. CONCLUSIONS : The prevalence of oral lesions was significantly reduced (p = 0.025) in children receiving HAART. Caries prevalence was significantly higher in children receiving HAART than in those not on HAART.