The role of the dental practitioner in diagnosing oral tuberculosis

Francesco D'Aleo; Tiziana Foti; Vittoria Borzumati; Mario Cucinotta; Roberta Bonanno; Francesco D'Aleo; Tiziana Foti; Vittoria Borzumati; Mario Cucinotta; Roberta Bonanno

doi:10.3934/jdms.2025006

Journal of Dentistry and Multidisciplinary Sciences

2025, Volume 1, Issue 1: 56-63. doi: 10.3934/jdms.2025006

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Review

The role of the dental practitioner in diagnosing oral tuberculosis

1.
Division of Microbiology and Virology, GOM – Grande Ospedale Metropolitano, Reggio Calabria, Italy
2.
Division of Pediatrics, GOM – Grande Ospedale Metropolitano, Reggio Calabria, Italy
3.
Pharmacy Division, GOM – Grande Ospedale Metropolitano, Reggio Calabria, Italy
4.
Division of General and Emergency Surgery, GOM – Grande Ospedale Metropolitano, Reggio Calabria, Italy
5.
Clinical Laboratory Department, GOM – Grande Ospedale Metropolitano, Reggio Calabria, Italy

Received: 20 June 2025 Revised: 16 October 2025 Accepted: 24 October 2025 Published: 31 October 2025

Tuberculosis remains a major global cause of morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including children and individuals with HIV infection. Early and accurate diagnosis is critical for effective treatment and for interrupting transmission. Traditional diagnostic methodologies, often relying on sputum examination, face significant limitations in specific clinical contexts. Researchers are actively exploring innovative diagnostic approaches, focusing intensely on non-sputum-based biological samples and the identification of specific biomarkers. Although oral manifestations of tuberculosis are less common, they can provide essential clues for early disease detection. In this narrative mini-review, we summarized the evolving methods of diagnosing tuberculosis, emphasizing the pivotal role of dental professionals in identifying oral manifestations and the importance of precise laboratory diagnostics. The review provides an updated overview of diagnostic challenges and advancements, including the potential of non-sputum samples and novel biomarkers, while discussing relevant comorbidities such as silicosis.
- tuberculosis diagnosis,
- oral manifestations,
- dental professionals,
- laboratory diagnostics,
- non-sputum samples,
- biomarkers,
- extrapulmonary tuberculosis,
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Citation: Francesco D'Aleo, Tiziana Foti, Vittoria Borzumati, Mario Cucinotta, Roberta Bonanno. The role of the dental practitioner in diagnosing oral tuberculosis[J]. Journal of Dentistry and Multidisciplinary Sciences, 2025, 1(1): 56-63. doi: 10.3934/jdms.2025006

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Abstract

Tuberculosis remains a major global cause of morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including children and individuals with HIV infection. Early and accurate diagnosis is critical for effective treatment and for interrupting transmission. Traditional diagnostic methodologies, often relying on sputum examination, face significant limitations in specific clinical contexts. Researchers are actively exploring innovative diagnostic approaches, focusing intensely on non-sputum-based biological samples and the identification of specific biomarkers. Although oral manifestations of tuberculosis are less common, they can provide essential clues for early disease detection. In this narrative mini-review, we summarized the evolving methods of diagnosing tuberculosis, emphasizing the pivotal role of dental professionals in identifying oral manifestations and the importance of precise laboratory diagnostics. The review provides an updated overview of diagnostic challenges and advancements, including the potential of non-sputum samples and novel biomarkers, while discussing relevant comorbidities such as silicosis.

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