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Dental public health: An introduction to community dental health
348
Journal of Dentistry Vol. g/No. 4
of general dental practice which is not covered. Some may criticize the text as being too simplistic but at the end of each section references are given for more in-depth reading. Jack Manning is to be congratulated on developing a very useful handbook for the general practitioner, particularly the recent graduate. In the past a number of editors have endeavoured to produce compendiums and indeed are still doing so, but have experienced the usual difficulty found in multi-authored texts, that of acquiring all the material at the same time. By issuing this book as a part-work or in instalments he has been able to ensure that each section is up to date on publication. Donald D. Derrick DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH: AN INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH. 2nd ed. Ed. by G. L. Slack. 216 X 138 mm. Pp. 354, with 40 illustrations. 1981. Bristol, Wright, E12.00. Every professional field of study needs a basic primer, which sets out in clear and easily readable form the general principles of the subject and which, while making no assumptions as to prior knowledge, forms a jumping-off point from which students can expand their learning. The discipline of community dental health as a specialist subject within dentistry is very young; the concept of all dentistry being community dentistry in a wider sense is becoming generally recognized. When the first edition of this book was published in 1974, the speciality was in its infancy as only within the previous decade or so had a place for it been accepted in this country. The first edition drew together 16 acknowledged authorities in teaching, research and practice in fields related to community dental health and in one short volume provided a topographical view that placed the speciality fairly into its relationships with current practice. From that time, it formed everyman’s simple, clear and concise guide to the subject and for many postgraduate students and public health practitioners making their first faltering steps into a seemingly uncharted field it formed their first introduction. The great value of the first edition was apparent in several ways. It formed a clear general statement of the relevant subject matter. It provided a firm basis for further study and reading, with generous and up-todate references to most of the important source papers and to the working practitioner ln dental public health it provided a convenient reference and instant answers to everyday questions. In the 7 years between the two editions, much progress has taken place in some fields of dental public health, while underlying principles have not lost their relevance. As a result, some general chapters of the fust edition reappear little changed while others, such as the chapters on service planning, computer applications and the dental team are substantially brought up to date. In particular, the references incorporate much research and results in practice which have developed between the two editions. The chapters on Epidemiology, Fluoridation and Statistical Principles remain particularly valuable to practitioner and student and this book, which is produced throughout in easily readable literary style and printing deserves to be read and retained as a reference by every member of the profession, without respect to the particular branch of dental practice with which he is Involved. A. J. Sweetman A MANUAL OF FOUR-HANDED DENTISTRY. By J. Ellis Paul. Pp. 155, with 264 illustrations. 1980. Chicago, Quintessence. US$42. Many people will remember Ellis Paul’s series of articles on assisted operating that appeared in the British Dental Journal during 1972. They were a useful guide to the principles involved in this approach to dentistry and the present book is a natural development from them. Indeed, it is a pity that it has not appeared sooner since it provides an excellent and comprehensive guide to the principles and practice of teamwork in dentistry, with an emphasis on work simplification and the importance of adopting a balanced stress-free posture when working, in addition to providing instruction in assisted operating. As Professor Butler writes in his foreword, ‘This manual is concerned with the well-being of the practising dental team’. The book opens with a discussion on principles: the prinicple of adopting proper working posture for the dentist and the DSA, the principle of working with a fully supine patient, the principle of teamwork and proper division of duties between members of the team. It continues with a chapter specifically devoted to aspiration techniques, where it is interesting to note the author’s advocacy of the right-angled aspirator (which is readily appreciated by those who have used one for any period of time). A useful distinction is made here between aspiration ‘on site’ and from the region of the fauces. Maintenance of operator vision is fundamental to good dentistry, yet frequently neglected or overcome by the adoption of bad posture. A complete chapter is given to this important topic. This is followed by two chapters giving detailed information on instrument handling and exchange and a short section on the use of tray systems. Four chapters are then given to describing and illustrating in detail selected clinical procedures. These include the proper use of close-support assistance in the placement of rubber dam, the placing of plastic
Journal of Dentistry Vol. g/No. 4
of general dental practice which is not covered. Some may criticize the text as being too simplistic but at the end of each section references are given for more in-depth reading. Jack Manning is to be congratulated on developing a very useful handbook for the general practitioner, particularly the recent graduate. In the past a number of editors have endeavoured to produce compendiums and indeed are still doing so, but have experienced the usual difficulty found in multi-authored texts, that of acquiring all the material at the same time. By issuing this book as a part-work or in instalments he has been able to ensure that each section is up to date on publication. Donald D. Derrick DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH: AN INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH. 2nd ed. Ed. by G. L. Slack. 216 X 138 mm. Pp. 354, with 40 illustrations. 1981. Bristol, Wright, E12.00. Every professional field of study needs a basic primer, which sets out in clear and easily readable form the general principles of the subject and which, while making no assumptions as to prior knowledge, forms a jumping-off point from which students can expand their learning. The discipline of community dental health as a specialist subject within dentistry is very young; the concept of all dentistry being community dentistry in a wider sense is becoming generally recognized. When the first edition of this book was published in 1974, the speciality was in its infancy as only within the previous decade or so had a place for it been accepted in this country. The first edition drew together 16 acknowledged authorities in teaching, research and practice in fields related to community dental health and in one short volume provided a topographical view that placed the speciality fairly into its relationships with current practice. From that time, it formed everyman’s simple, clear and concise guide to the subject and for many postgraduate students and public health practitioners making their first faltering steps into a seemingly uncharted field it formed their first introduction. The great value of the first edition was apparent in several ways. It formed a clear general statement of the relevant subject matter. It provided a firm basis for further study and reading, with generous and up-todate references to most of the important source papers and to the working practitioner ln dental public health it provided a convenient reference and instant answers to everyday questions. In the 7 years between the two editions, much progress has taken place in some fields of dental public health, while underlying principles have not lost their relevance. As a result, some general chapters of the fust edition reappear little changed while others, such as the chapters on service planning, computer applications and the dental team are substantially brought up to date. In particular, the references incorporate much research and results in practice which have developed between the two editions. The chapters on Epidemiology, Fluoridation and Statistical Principles remain particularly valuable to practitioner and student and this book, which is produced throughout in easily readable literary style and printing deserves to be read and retained as a reference by every member of the profession, without respect to the particular branch of dental practice with which he is Involved. A. J. Sweetman A MANUAL OF FOUR-HANDED DENTISTRY. By J. Ellis Paul. Pp. 155, with 264 illustrations. 1980. Chicago, Quintessence. US$42. Many people will remember Ellis Paul’s series of articles on assisted operating that appeared in the British Dental Journal during 1972. They were a useful guide to the principles involved in this approach to dentistry and the present book is a natural development from them. Indeed, it is a pity that it has not appeared sooner since it provides an excellent and comprehensive guide to the principles and practice of teamwork in dentistry, with an emphasis on work simplification and the importance of adopting a balanced stress-free posture when working, in addition to providing instruction in assisted operating. As Professor Butler writes in his foreword, ‘This manual is concerned with the well-being of the practising dental team’. The book opens with a discussion on principles: the prinicple of adopting proper working posture for the dentist and the DSA, the principle of working with a fully supine patient, the principle of teamwork and proper division of duties between members of the team. It continues with a chapter specifically devoted to aspiration techniques, where it is interesting to note the author’s advocacy of the right-angled aspirator (which is readily appreciated by those who have used one for any period of time). A useful distinction is made here between aspiration ‘on site’ and from the region of the fauces. Maintenance of operator vision is fundamental to good dentistry, yet frequently neglected or overcome by the adoption of bad posture. A complete chapter is given to this important topic. This is followed by two chapters giving detailed information on instrument handling and exchange and a short section on the use of tray systems. Four chapters are then given to describing and illustrating in detail selected clinical procedures. These include the proper use of close-support assistance in the placement of rubber dam, the placing of plastic