Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and AIDS: an update in relation to dentistry

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the aetiologic agent of AIDS has emerged as the medicine's modern scourge of mankind. Despite the millions of pounds and dollars spent on conquering the disease, it is spreading globally and millions are thought to be currently infected. There is, therefore, little doubt that a large number of dental practitioners have either knowingly or unknowingly treated HIV infected individuals and they will continue to do so in the future. Therefore, all dental personnel should be aware of the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of the disease and the implications for clinical dentistry. This update is an attempt to review the expanding body of data on HIV infection and AIDS, particularly in relation to dentistry.