Hand, foot and mouth disease is a fairly common illness in the community, particularly with children being the group with the highest infection rate. Children with hand, foot and mouth disease, if not properly treated and cared for, will be at risk of periodontal superinfection

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is caused by enteroviruses, most commonly Coxsackievirus and Enterovirus 71. The disease spreads primarily through the digestive tract but can also be transmitted via respiratory secretions. Clinically, HFMD progresses through four distinct stages.