Are the oral manifestations associated with HIV infection really relevant to the practising South African dentist? A comparative analysis of oral HIV studies in South Africa.

This comparative analytical review of oral HIV in South Africa, Africa and the West shows that relatively little work has been done on the African continent in this field of study. Direct epidemiological comparisons of these studies with each other are difficult but were made between these regions for overall prevalence values, mode of transmission and individual lesion presentation (candidiasis, oral hairy leukoplakia, periodontal disease, Kaposi's sarcoma, salivary gland disease, oral ulcers and other lesions). Apparent differences exist between the reported prevalence values of oral candidiasis, periodontal disease, Kaposi's sarcoma and tuberculous ulcers, the significance of which is uncertain. There is a need to standardise research methodologies. This would enable appropriate comparisons to be made and a better understanding of the implications of the oral HIV disease process in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent.