Oral lesions in human monkeypox disease and their management—a scoping review

Abstract

Monkeypox (MPX) disease poses a threat to the frontline health workers, including dental practitioners; however, there is limited literature on its dental implications. The objective of this scoping review was to map the oral manifestations of MPX and its management based on existing information. Articles published up to July 31, 2022 were searched to select relevant observational and experimental studies in humans who reported oral lesions in MPX disease, including case reports. The findings of this review are based on the pooled data of 1,136 patients (age range: 2-52 years) reported from different parts of the world. Oral lesions included mouth sores, oral mucosal lesions, ulcers on the tongue, tongue swelling, pustular lesions on the gingiva, perioral erosive lesions, oral candidiasis, and oropharyngeal lesions. Oral lesions of MPX infection and their management strategies are relevant to dentists. Dental practitioners may be the first to detect the initial symptoms of MPX disease. Oral lesions may present as initial lesions of MPX suggesting that dentists and dental personnel should be aware of the nature of the disease. Clinicians must be alert to rashes resembling MPX lesions and distinguish MPX from herpetic and similar vesicular-bullous lesions for differential diagnosis. Symptomatic and supportive care for oral lesions is important.