Book Review
British Dental Journal 186, 46 (1999)
Published online: 9 January 1999 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4800014
Reviews
Books, videos, CD-ROMs and any other relevant items submitted for a review in the BDJ should be addressed to: Mike Grace, Editor, British Dental Journal, 64 Wimpole Street, London W1M 8AL.
BOOK REVIEWED - Clinical periodontology and implant dentistry
87-16-12060-4
This is a great book: not just a new edition, but a greatly improved textbook. The improvements include the many colour diagrams, clinical photographs, many new chapters and the broadening of the field to rightly include implant dentistry within periodontics.
However, the most important development in the book has been one of philosophy. The numerous chapter authors take a much more critical approach to the literature using an evidence-based type of approach. The previous two editions have always been soundly based on the literature, but we now find summary tables of principal findings (similar to the 1996 World Workshop) which enable the reader to make their own judgements. A more international flavour is felt throughout, with the wide geographical distribution of authors, the adoption of north American spelling and also the naming of the chapter on maintenance, supportive periodontal therapy (a more accurate description of this phase of treatment).
The book has been divided into three sections: basic concepts (360 pages), clinical concepts (464 pages) and implant concepts (113 pages). For the first section, Basic Concepts, meticulous effort is made to highlight the clinical significance of concepts, such as risk factors (epidemiology) and plaque as a biofilm (dental plaque and calculus). In addition to these chapters, new sections on early-onset periodontitis, necrotising periodontal disease, and endodontics and periodontics, are particularly noteworthy.
Clinical concepts includes fairly traditional chapters on examination, diagnosis and treatment planning. It might have been nice to bring implants into this section although the final chapter of the book illustrates aspects of periodontal-implant planning with a series of case histories. The technical aspects of non-surgical and surgical therapy, are generally not covered in the detail that can be found in north American texts or Kieser's book. However, the clinical chapters are very contemporary and authoritative, and I particularly enjoyed the sections on antibiotics, mucogingival therapy and furcation involved teeth.
Implant concepts covers a lot of ground in the shortest section of the book. Basic concepts are followed by chapters covering the soft-tissue interface, radiographic assessment, the surgical site, and bone formation and healing.
While undergraduates will find value in the book, the main readership will be general dental practitioners, graduate students and specialists in all fields of dentistry. There is a great deal to read and a great deal more to ponder; this book is a must.
[BDJ 764b] I G Needleman
A history of the Royal Dental Hospital of London and School of Dental Surgery 1858–1985
- E Smith and & B Cottell
- London: Athlone Press: 178 pp.
0-485-11517-4
Written by two former members of staff with more than 65 years at the Dental School this fascinating account of 'The Royal Dental' takes the reader through all the notable events which occurred during its 127 years, placing them firmly within their contemporary social, political and financial contexts.
The book starts by outlining the battle to introduce formal education in dentistry which led to the establishment of the Dental Hospital of London in 1858 and its associated London School of Dental Surgery, at the same address in Soho Square, a year later thus becoming the first dental school in the UK.
Many difficulties were encountered in establishing a voluntary dental hospital to provide treatment for the poor, relying on honorary dental staff. Funding came from donors who were given vouchers to pass to those in need, enabling them to receive free treatment. One of the topics which the Management Committee constantly faced was the abuse of the facility by those able to pay.
The reader is taken through the many clinical developments occurring over the years. Chloroform anaesthesia was introduced in 1866. Two years later the Dental Hospital became the birthplace of nitrous oxide anaesthesia in Great Britain, the gas being produced on the premises. In 1874, the hospital moved to Leicester Square, a disreputable area of London. Soon after the move treadle drills were introduced. Caution was urged against dental students using them too frequently as the power was so great that the pulp cavity could be invaded before the operator knew where he was!
In 1901, having once again outgrown its building, the hospital moved round Leicester Square, now a much improved area, into the building known and loved by many generations of dental students. That same year King Edward VII agreed to become Patron of the Hospital and it became known as the Royal Dental Hospital of London.
In 1900, it was stated that lady students might in the future be admitted. However, it was not until 1915, following a loss of income because World War I had led to a reduction in male students, that the first women students entered the Dental School. Provision for research was introduced in 1912. Members of staff could use the hospital facilities for research in the evenings.
Initially the School was run as a private business, the staff sharing the profits. Not until 1906 were teaching staff paid. Control remained with the part-time staff until 1956 when the University Grants Committee insisted on it passing to the full-time teachers.
In the early 1980s, when the writing was on the wall that a London dental school was likely to be closed, a pre-emptive decision was made for the Royal to merge voluntarily with Guy's Hospital Dental School. The Royal closed at the end of 1985, and the building was converted into an hotel.
This book will be of particular interest not only to all former students at The Royal who will remember, with varying degrees of affection, many of the staff mentioned in the text, but also to anyone interested in the development of dentistry during the past 150 years.
[BDJ 759] J F Beal
