Scaling and Root Planning in a Patient Taking Chronic Corticosteroid Therapy for Lupus Erythematosus

The dental provider should be aware of the oral manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients with SLE may be on chronic oral corticosteroids, which can increase the risk for periodontitis and opportunistic oral infections in addition to inducing multiple systemic adverse effects. Disease complications such as lupus nephritis and comorbid antiphospholipid antibody syndrome can further impact dental decision-making including around medications to prescribe or hemostatic measures to employ during treatment. Patients with SLE on systemic corticosteroid therapy usually do not require steroid supplementation before or after non-surgical or surgical dental treatment.