Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Is Spreading Like Wildfire This Season
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is making the rounds again, and oral health professionals are often the first to spot the painful little mouth blisters hiding behind a seemingly routine checkup. Knowing what it looks like and what to do next and help protect your patients, your team, and your schedule.
If it feels like half the kids in your community are showing up with fevers, rashes, and the temperament of a grumpy cat, you’re not imagining things — hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is having a moment. And because those telltale sores often appear in the mouth first, oral health professionals are frequently the ones who stumble on HFMD before parents even know what’s going on.
HFMD usually hits children younger than age 5, mostly because they lick everything from toys to tabletops like they’re conducting scientific research. As viral infections go, this one is usually mild, but it’s wildly contagious. Symptoms start with a low-grade fever and sore throat, followed by red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gingiva, and cheeks. Add a rash on the hands and feet and you’ve got the whole ensemble.
So what should oral health professionals do when a tiny patient settles into the chair sporting fresh mouth sores? First: pause. HFMD is contagious through saliva, respiratory droplets, and blister fluid, so elective treatment should stop right there. Gently let the caregiver know what you’re seeing and recommend they follow up with the child’s pediatrician for medical guidance. Unless the child is dealing with a dental emergency (and HFMD kids usually aren’t), rescheduling is the safest move for everyone.
In the meantime, offer reassurance. There’s no cure, just supportive care including fluids, soft foods, and age-appropriate pain relievers. Parents should watch for dehydration, especially in kids refusing to drink because of mouth discomfort.
With cases on the rise nationwide, oral health professionals play a quiet but critical role: spotting the lesions early, preventing exposure in the office, and helping families navigate an otherwise uncomfortable (and very drool-heavy) week. Fortunately, most cases resolve within 7–10 days, just long enough for your schedule to settle down before the next outbreak hits. Click here to read more.
