Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is a connective tissue disease in which organs such as liver, kidney and heart in addition to skin and mucosa are involved. Oral findings are one of the diagnostic criteria which can be presented with ulcer or red and white lesions. In this article we report a case of SLE that is diagnosed by oral medicine specialist on the basis of oral ulcers. A 16-year-old female was referred to oral medicine department with 3 months lasting oral ulcers. There was a history of transient artheralgia in review of systems. In extra oral examination a butterfly diffuse erythema was observed on nasal bridge and malar prominences. Oral ulcers had different forms and involved different parts of oral mucosa. Due to chronic oral ulcers , malar rash and history of artheralgia ,a presumably diagnosis of SLE was affirmed. She was referred and hospitalized to rheumatology department. Oral and skin lesions were improved significantly in follow up examination. Oral findings may be the first diagnostic presentation of SLE. It is important for dentists to pay attention to medical history and different systemic symptoms to achieve accurate clinical diagnosis.

Key words: Systemic lupus erythematosus, Oral ulceration, Case report, Oral Medicine, Iran