Minor Oral Surgery, 3rd edn.

J. Dent.

1986;

14:

89-91

Printed

in Great Britain

89

Stafne’s Oral Radiographic Diagnosis,.5th edn. J. A. Gibilisco. 260 X 180 mm. Pp. 536. 1985. London, W. B. Saunders. Hardback, f29.50.

chaired by Ralph Phillips, should perhaps be singled out because of its critical coverage of the literature covering many aspects of restorative dentistry. This section is essential reading for all clinicians whether within or outside the specialty. There are 309 references for those wishing to pursue the literature in more detail. In relation to composite resins, a subject which is also covered in depth in a separate excellent chapter by Asmussen (Copenhagen), the authors of this report criticize some publications They state: “The literature is replete with studies that have little or no correlation to clinical behaviour and this occurs annually. Furthermore these questionable studies are continually reviewed and discussed, even though they may confuse the issues rather than resolving them.. . . Dental editors might be encouraged to be more selective in the articles they accept for publication and possibly the waiting time could be reduced considerably for those authors whose work needs and deserves to be before the profession as quickly as possible.” The stimulating chapter on unsolved problems in oral cancer reviews our present knowledge in relation to squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa. In conclusion, the authors question how great a proportion of current technological resources should be directed towards treating today’s patients and how great a proportion should be aimed at preventing tomorrow’s patients. A number of chapters present information which, although not noticeably different from that which can be obtained from standard textbooks, nevertheless provides condensed well-written refresher courses. The section on stomatology is presented in the form of five actual case histories, with details of complaint, differential diagnosis, investigations, management and discussion for each one. The role of forensic odontology in the ‘Australian Dingo Baby Case’ is a chapter which is certainly topical in the light of further facts which have recently become available. Although it is perhaps unfair to criticize individual contributors in a book of this nature, it should be mentioned that there are some statements in the chapters related to dental prosthetics which some prosthetists may disagree with. In conclusion, this is a book which will provide stimulating reading for all members of the profession whatever their particular interests R. 8. Winstanley

Book reviews

Stafne’s Oral Roentgenographic Diagnosis first appeared in 1958. Three subsequent editions appeared over the next 17 years and the scope of the book was extended by grafting, rather uncomfortably, oral radiography on the end. Stafne himself died in 1981 while preparing this latest edition which now has an eponymous, and updated, title, but the new editor, formerly the associate, has found it necessary to call upon the assistance of 1 1 of his colleagues at the Mayo Clinic. The continued existence of this book is without doubt a tribute to its founder and his remarkable collection of radiographs accumulated over 50 years. However, the enquiring student will find there are certain limitations. For instance, panoramic radiography is now more than 15 years old, yet most of the extra-oral radiographs reproduced are oblique lateral jaws. Both text and references are often outdated. There is reference in the chapter on caries, written by Stafne, to both susceptibility and immunity but not to remineralization, and there are only two references, the most recent 1948. Temporomandibular joint, admittedly a difficult area, has been rewritten by Gibilisco but is hardly adequate at a time when there have been rapid and significant advances, based on careful radiographic studies, in our understanding of both internal derangement and the arthroses. Perhaps the editor, in preparing the sixth edition, will consider adding four further chapters on the principles of radiological diagnosis, differential diagnosis of radiolucent lesions in the jaws, image perception and risk-benefit analysis. Until that time this book has a worthwhile place on the library shelves but the fourth edition will also suffice. P. N. Hirschmann

The 1988 Dental Annual. Edited by Donald D. Derrick 234 x 156 mm. Pp. 294. Bristol, Wright Hardback f 18. 50. This annua publication is perhaps the only one which covers a wii(e variety of dental disciplines in one single text It there ‘ore enables the general practitioner to update himself in m,ny fields and the specialist clinician to update himself in fields other than his own. Relevant reference lists are provided in most sections for those who wish to pursue further reading in a particular subject There are contributions from workers in many countries, the majority being from the USA and the UK Subjects covered include composite resins, periapical change, forensic odontology, clinical photography, bioceramic materials for periodontal osseous defects, ore-facial pain, mandibular anaesthesia, restorative dentistry, alveolar ridge augmentation, caries research, oral cancer, ethics in dental research, cryosurgery, partial dentures, social science and dentistry, vertical dimension and occlusal registration in the edentulous, stomatology, local anaesthesia and dental implants The Report of the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry,

Minor Oral Surgery, 3rd edn. Geoffrey L. Howe. 234 x 158 mm. Pp. 428, 1985. Bristol, Wright Softback f 12.50.

illustrated.

A student learning about minor oral surgery and performing these.procedures on the first few occasions needs a book from which he or she can revise the details and precautions essential to success and the safety of the patient It takes a teacher of substantial experience to appreciate the needs of the undergradute at this stage of his course, and few have the gift of writing about their subject with directness and simplicity. An understanding of the needs of students and clarity of explanation are a feature of Professor Howe’s Minor Oral Surgery

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Even if the young dentist has been fortunate enough to perform a number of the basic procedures of dento alveolar surgery as an undergraduate, or under supervision in junior hospital posts as a graduate, a book which deals with the subject in a practical fashion is invaluable during the early months in general practice. Careful thought has been given to the topics to be included, and for the most part those carried out in hospital are excluded. The subject does not lend itself to dramatic advances so there are no great changes in the techniques described. Even in the chapter on Surgical Aids to Denture Construction, a field in which the author is an acknowledged expert tried and proven techniques are described rather than the new and fashionable, which for the intended readership is wise. Too many new methods have been introduced and then abandoned after a brief popularity. Some readers may be surprised that the surgical treatment of periodontal disease is included. These techniques are less commonly performed than some 10 or 15 years ago, but still form a sizeable proportion of minor surgery carried out in practice and, therefore, logically should be included. This section has been rewritten by Ross Bastian, and the place of surgery within the total pattern of periodontal care is defined. The treatment of respiratory obstruction and cardiac arrest has been revised by Dr Moles, and is excellent The most noticeable change from the previous two editions is the introduction of many new illustrations. Much time and effort must have been spent in collecting and selecting the photographs and radiographs. Unfortunately, modern methods of reproduction and printing do not always do them justice. The new line drawings are excellent and help the reader to understand those points which are difficult to describe in words. This book does not contain all that the undergraduate needs to know about oral surgery, but it contains the essentials of dentoalveolar oral surgery, and complements The.Extraction of Teeth by the same author. G. R. Seward Clinical Pharmacology for Dental Professionals S. G. Ciancio and P. C. Bourgault 254 X 176 mm. Pp. 392. 1984. Bristol, Wright Hardback f 29.50. This textbook is aimed at both undergraduate and qualified dentists preparing for examination in clinical pharmacology, and also for dental auxiliaries including hygienists and, presumably, ‘expanded duty’ dental surgery assistants in North America. The authors are a professor of periodontology and a pharmacologist The contents are divided into six sections: Drugs Prescribed and Used by the Dental Profession; Drugs that May Alter Daily Practice; Emergency Drugs and Adverse Effects; Applied Pharmacology; and finally, a short series of appendices. The text is well indexed and a useful glossary of medical terms is included at the end of the book The size of the book is not off-putting and the quality of paper and printing is attractive. The chapters are kept reasonably short and each of those dealing with clinical therapeutics starts with a short description of a related problem, which is answered at the end of the chapter. Unfortunately, these are not always well chosen or the most appropriate. Each chapter ends with a series of questions and a list of references. In some cases these have been brought up to date, but in a few chapters the references are presumbly carried over from the first edition and are often more than 10 years old. A particularly attractive feature of this textbook is the use of only threequarters of the width of each page for

the text and the inclusion of brief notes in bold type in the wide right hand margin. This provides not only a short cut to the reading of the text which should be attractive to the student who has left his revision until the last minute, but also a useful way of locating specific items within the text when it is used for reference purposes There are, however, several reservations to be expressed with regard to the contents. Inevitably, some drugs which are not available to British practitioners are described. Similarly, some clinical uses of drugs which are not usual on this side of the Atlantic are includedsuch as the topical application of cocaine crystals before vital pulpectomy. Again, the appendix devoted to the prophylaxis of infective endocarditis-based on the 1984 recommendations of the American Heart Associationdoes not include the use of amoxycillin. The use of barbiturates is over-emphasized in the chapter on sedatives and in the discussion on intravenous sedation with benzodiazepines No mention is made of the lipid emulsion preparation of diazepam when the problem of vein damage is considered, nor of the development of midazolam, which is shortly to be released in the USA The distinction between the use of nitrous oxide for general anaesthesia and for sedation is not made clearly. The adverse cardiac effects of the use of halothane for dental anaesthesia are described, together with the fact that these are reduced by the use of enflurane, but isoflurane, which most effectively prevents these, is not included although it has been used in the United States for several years. Amongst the good points are the clear and concise description of the basic principals of pharmacology and the fact that the intention of use generic or proper names is announced in the preface and largely adhered to. The appendices on mercury and asbestos hazards are interesting, as is that listing the drugs excreted in breast milk Very detailed recommendations for the protection of staff from infection by Hepatitis B and AIDS viruses are included. The chapter on prescribing is good, but of course based on US practice. It is nice to see the reference to the fact that epinephrine is called adrenaline in the UK included in the chapter of haemostasis. The local management of dental bleeding is also covered and includes the recommendation to use a cold teabag as a haemostatic pack! Overall, this is an attractive and easy-to-read book, which should have a place in dental school libraries. However, North American bias and its tendency to be out-of-date together with its cost of f 29.50, will probably dissuade all but the keenest of students from buying a private copy. A M. Skelly Keyguide to Information Sources in Dentistry. M. A Clennett. 234 x 156 mm. Pp. 288. 1985. London, Mansell. Hardback, f25.00. This book is one of a series of Keyguides to information sources throughout the world in a particular field of study. It is in three parts. Part I commences with a potted history of dentistry, considers the scope of dentistry, goes on to portray its relationship to other disciplines, and critically surveys the available information sources. A detailed description of such useful information as abstracting and indexing services and how to use them is provided. Part II is an annotated bibliography of reference sources including journals, monographs and books, relating to dentistry as a whole and also of its specialised