HIV infection has spread rapidly within developing countries since it was first recognized in the early 1980s. The purpose of this paper is to review the prevalence of oral lesions associated with HIV infection (oral HIV) in the developing world, and to identify additional factors that may complicate the presentation of these lesions. Direct comparison of regional and local prevalence studies within Africa, India and Thailand is speculative because there are few reports available. Furthermore, inherent differences in study design, data collection, standardization and calibration of health workers make any inferences inconclusive. Additional prevalence studies of oral HIV lesions associated with systemic disease or social conditions, such as poverty or malnutrition, are needed. In order to provide a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of HIV-associated oral lesions in the developing world, it is important to recognize any confounding factors that may impact on their presentation and management. Elucidation of these various factors may provide a basis for treatment within the developing and developed world.