Pediatric infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): head, neck, and oral manifestations

The increasing incidence of HIV infection in the pediatric population is of concern for the practicing dentist. Long incubation periods of the virus, combined with difficulty in detection, results in many undiagnosed cases of prenatal and natal infections with HIV. As a result, many dentists will unknowingly treat HIV-positive children. This article presents most common features of pediatric HIV infection, placing special emphasis on manifestations which affect the head, neck, and oral tissues.