Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) - Oral Health Care Considerations

• Establish the presence and assess the severity of accompanying diseases and conditions.
• Get recent CBC and differential laboratory values.
• Consider antibiotic prophylaxis for patients with a neutrophil count <1,000 cells/mm³.
• Address possible immunosuppression and thrombocytopenia.
• Follow anticoagulation guidelines for patients receiving anticoagulants.
• Address possible adrenal suppression.
• Address possible risk for developing infective endocarditis.
• Assess and treat oral manifestations accompanying the disease: oral ulcerations salivary gland disease and xerostomia, burning mouth, temporomandibular disorders.

---

Medical Complexity Status

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus	MCS1B	MCS2C
Anticipated complication	Controlled/ stable	Uncontrolled/ unstable
Hemostasis	Minor	Minor
Microbial  susceptibility	None	Major
Drugs/ drug  interactions	None	Major
Stress/trauma	None	Major

See Medical Complexity Status for more information.

---

Related Pages

• Medical Disorders
  • Anemia
  • Arthritis
  • Bleeding Disorders
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Heart Murmurs
  • Kidney/Renal Disease
  • Stroke
• Laboratory Values
  • Normal Laboratory Values
• Images
  • SLE, Cutaneous Lesions
  • Oral Mucous Membrane Lesions
• Guidelines
  • Adrenal Suppression Considerations
  • Antibiotic Prophylaxis
  • Infective Endocarditis Prophylaxis

References/Websites

• References
  • Benli M, et al. Orofacial manifestations and dental management of systemic lupus erythematosus: A review. Oral Dis. 2021;27(2):151-167.
  • Aringer M, et al.2019 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology Classification Criteria for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
• Websites
  • Lupus. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine. June 1, 2021.
  • ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine. November 30, 2020.
  • Classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus. UpToDate. 2021.