Global Oral Health Inequalities: Oral Infections–Challenges and Approaches

Four oral mucosal infections were identified as Global Oral Health Priorities: (a) HIV and associated viral, bacterial, and fungal infections; (b) tuberculosis; (c) NOMA; and (d) sexually transmitted diseases. Huge global inequalities exist in all four. HIV-associated infections constitute the major...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advances in dental research 2011-05, Vol.23 (2), p.227-236
Main Authors: Challacombe, S., Chidzonga, M., Glick, M., Hodgson, T., Magalhães, M., Shiboski, C., Owotade, F., Ranganathan, R., Naidoo, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections - epidemiology
Communicable Diseases - epidemiology
Dental Research
Dentistry
Global Health
Health Priorities
Health Status Disparities
Humans
Mouth Diseases - epidemiology
Noma - epidemiology
Oral Health
Sexually Transmitted Diseases - epidemiology
Tuberculosis, Oral - epidemiology
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Summary:Four oral mucosal infections were identified as Global Oral Health Priorities: (a) HIV and associated viral, bacterial, and fungal infections; (b) tuberculosis; (c) NOMA; and (d) sexually transmitted diseases. Huge global inequalities exist in all four. HIV-associated infections constitute the major challenge. Oral manifestations of AIDS can be specifically diagnostic, indicating a significant role for dentists within health teams. The World Workshops in Oral Health & Disease in AIDS have identified a research program, elements of which are being implemented. Data on oral mucosal involvement in tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea are incomplete in developed countries and virtually non-existent in low- and middle-income countries, indicating the need for further epidemiological studies. Oral manifestations of tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases are largely associated with general health, so action programs should be integrated with agencies treating the systemic diseases. NOMA is very much in the oral health domain. It is a preventable disease associated with malnutrition and unidentified bacterial factors. Prevalence is probably grossly overestimated at present; but nevertheless it constitutes a challenge to the profession, especially in the NOMA belt. Current treatment is surgical, but plans for its eradication should be achievable. The global oral health community, especially the IADR, has a major role to play.
ISSN:0895-9374
1544-0737
DOI:10.1177/0022034511402081