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The diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease
Book Reviews
173
In conclusion, this book will prove to be a useful asset to all dental libraries, as a well-referenced evaluation of current periodontics. However, it is not well suited to the requirements of undergraduate students on account of the inadequate attention given to the more basic details of periodontal therapy. J. B. Kieser
THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE. By J. F. Pritchard. 260 X 185 mm. Pp. 657 + xviii. Illustrated. 1979. Eastbourne, Saunders. g25.00. There can be few involved in clinical dentistry, even those only remotely interested in periodontology, who will not be familiar with John F. Pritchard’s outstanding reputation and the classic documentation thereof in Advanced Periodontal Disease, the second edition of which was published in 1972. One might at first glance assume that this book represents a slightly revamped, and rather belated-by current American standards-third edition of this work. In fact, it is a new, much more broadly based hybrid, in which Pritchard has contributed unfortunately only six of the thirtyone chapters and is joint author of another four. A number of the other twenty-five contrrbutors have well-established clinical and research reputations, but the majority would appear to be rather less well known being, with a few exceptions, exclusively involved in specialist private practices. It would also seem that these contrrbutors have had rather limited experience in personal publications, for in only a few instances are their works featured in the reference lists to their chosen chapters. This book in many respects simply constitutes yet another major American effort in the field. Yet, whilst being fairly comprehensive and nicely illustrated and printed in accordance with the best traditions of the W. B. Saunders Company, it lacks many of the basic attributes of its more established rivals to qualify as a general periodontal text. It must, however, be conceded that the author’s stated objective is ‘to aid the clinician in private practice with the diagnosis and treatment of problems affecting the periodontum’. This is achieved to some extent by the very impressive gallery of the convincing operative skills of the contributors, but this presentation, together with the prominence given to The Art of Referring Patients, as the title of Chapter 2 might suggest that the aims of the book are perhaps not altogether altruistic. There is, in common with other multi-authored texts, some repetition coupled with inconsistencies in the overall approach to therapy. For example, Chapter 6 commences with the statement that the ‘scientific evidence of the benefit of temporary splinting has yet to be found’, and is followed by quite a comprehensive account of the various types of splints and then concludes with the comment that ‘there are many capable periodontists who do not use splints at all’. There are numerous unsubstantiated clinical impressions presented. This is perhaps not entirely inconsistent with the singularly unhelpful references to clinical experience and sound clinical judgement being the essential prerequisites for successful therapy-especially when insufficient guidance is given to those aspiring to such achievements. The reference lists are generally up to date but their usefulness is limited by the failure, in most instances, to relate them to the contents of the chapter. Notwithstanding these comments, the publication will be of interest to all with a special interest in periodontics, and to postgraduate students, but is likely to appeal to comparatively few general dental practitioners in this country. J. B. Kieser
A COLOUR ATLAS OF CONSERVATIVE Illustrated. 1980. London, Wolfe. 214.00.
DENTISTRY. By J. Ralph Grundy. 260 X 190 mm. Pp. 152.
As the author explains in his preface, the Atlas is designed to be complementary to the many textbooks on the various subjects covered. However, in discussing treatment certain aspects are dealt with in great detail and others omitted. This is a confusing situation for the student who, in spite of the name, might regard the Atlas as a textbook and use it as such. Nevertheless, this Atlas is an excellent publication, beautifully produced, covering most of the subjects of conservative dentistry. The pictures are of the highest quality, so different from many in the average textbook where photographs are often meaningless spacefillers. Whilst on the subject of pictures, mention must be made of the outstanding series on pages 26 and 27 covering partial pulpectomy. This has never been illustrated better. The author was obviously impatient to get to the heart of the subject and has skimmed over that important part of treatment which is planning. A more detailed handling of this would have been of great value. On page 12 the clumsy floss threader is shown; surely superfloss has now superseded this. Chapter 3
173
In conclusion, this book will prove to be a useful asset to all dental libraries, as a well-referenced evaluation of current periodontics. However, it is not well suited to the requirements of undergraduate students on account of the inadequate attention given to the more basic details of periodontal therapy. J. B. Kieser
THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE. By J. F. Pritchard. 260 X 185 mm. Pp. 657 + xviii. Illustrated. 1979. Eastbourne, Saunders. g25.00. There can be few involved in clinical dentistry, even those only remotely interested in periodontology, who will not be familiar with John F. Pritchard’s outstanding reputation and the classic documentation thereof in Advanced Periodontal Disease, the second edition of which was published in 1972. One might at first glance assume that this book represents a slightly revamped, and rather belated-by current American standards-third edition of this work. In fact, it is a new, much more broadly based hybrid, in which Pritchard has contributed unfortunately only six of the thirtyone chapters and is joint author of another four. A number of the other twenty-five contrrbutors have well-established clinical and research reputations, but the majority would appear to be rather less well known being, with a few exceptions, exclusively involved in specialist private practices. It would also seem that these contrrbutors have had rather limited experience in personal publications, for in only a few instances are their works featured in the reference lists to their chosen chapters. This book in many respects simply constitutes yet another major American effort in the field. Yet, whilst being fairly comprehensive and nicely illustrated and printed in accordance with the best traditions of the W. B. Saunders Company, it lacks many of the basic attributes of its more established rivals to qualify as a general periodontal text. It must, however, be conceded that the author’s stated objective is ‘to aid the clinician in private practice with the diagnosis and treatment of problems affecting the periodontum’. This is achieved to some extent by the very impressive gallery of the convincing operative skills of the contributors, but this presentation, together with the prominence given to The Art of Referring Patients, as the title of Chapter 2 might suggest that the aims of the book are perhaps not altogether altruistic. There is, in common with other multi-authored texts, some repetition coupled with inconsistencies in the overall approach to therapy. For example, Chapter 6 commences with the statement that the ‘scientific evidence of the benefit of temporary splinting has yet to be found’, and is followed by quite a comprehensive account of the various types of splints and then concludes with the comment that ‘there are many capable periodontists who do not use splints at all’. There are numerous unsubstantiated clinical impressions presented. This is perhaps not entirely inconsistent with the singularly unhelpful references to clinical experience and sound clinical judgement being the essential prerequisites for successful therapy-especially when insufficient guidance is given to those aspiring to such achievements. The reference lists are generally up to date but their usefulness is limited by the failure, in most instances, to relate them to the contents of the chapter. Notwithstanding these comments, the publication will be of interest to all with a special interest in periodontics, and to postgraduate students, but is likely to appeal to comparatively few general dental practitioners in this country. J. B. Kieser
A COLOUR ATLAS OF CONSERVATIVE Illustrated. 1980. London, Wolfe. 214.00.
DENTISTRY. By J. Ralph Grundy. 260 X 190 mm. Pp. 152.
As the author explains in his preface, the Atlas is designed to be complementary to the many textbooks on the various subjects covered. However, in discussing treatment certain aspects are dealt with in great detail and others omitted. This is a confusing situation for the student who, in spite of the name, might regard the Atlas as a textbook and use it as such. Nevertheless, this Atlas is an excellent publication, beautifully produced, covering most of the subjects of conservative dentistry. The pictures are of the highest quality, so different from many in the average textbook where photographs are often meaningless spacefillers. Whilst on the subject of pictures, mention must be made of the outstanding series on pages 26 and 27 covering partial pulpectomy. This has never been illustrated better. The author was obviously impatient to get to the heart of the subject and has skimmed over that important part of treatment which is planning. A more detailed handling of this would have been of great value. On page 12 the clumsy floss threader is shown; surely superfloss has now superseded this. Chapter 3