Sir, I was surprised to see an example of destructive and unnecessary dentistry on the front cover of a recent BDJ (Volume 232 Issue 10, 27 May 2022). The image showed a colourful scanning electron micrograph of a large course-grit diamond bur plunging into an occlusal fissure of what appears to be a relatively sound molar. I am currently in the process of teaching my second year dental students about the principles of minimally invasive dentistry, and how many carious lesions can be remineralised through reducing risk factors, fluoride therapy and perhaps fissure sealants. Picking up the handpiece is normally only recommended for lesions which are active, cavitated and non-cleansable. This image represents an outdated philosophy, still rife within our profession, which leads to harmful destruction of tooth tissue and perpetuates the 'restorative cycle'. Let's make sure the cover of this prestigious journal is representative of the evidence-based content within.

The Editor-in-Chief replies: I thank Dr Wilson for his comments on this cover image. As he correctly observes, this is a photograph taken from an SEM. As such, it has been created out of the mouth and so we can reassure readers that no teeth entered the restorative cycle as a result of this image. His point is well-made nonetheless, but the journal has repeatedly promoted MID in recent years including three themed issues which I am sure Dr Wilson will have devoured and to which I hope he will repeatedly refer his students.