Assessment and management of orofacial pain

Edited by:
  • J. M. Zakrzewska &
  • S. D. Harrison
, Eds London: Elsevier, 2002 price: USD 90.00, pp416 ISBN 0444509844 | ISBN: 0-444-50984-4

This is Volume 14 of the Elsevier Science B.V. series on pain research and clinical management. A hardback book with 407 pages and 17 chapters covering neurobiology, psychology, neurology, history taking and examination, pain assessment and measurement, classification and management strategies.

The page text is of two column format making reading relaxed. Bullet point summaries are used with good effect and greyed boxes list key information. Clinical conundrums usefully complement learning and understanding. Patient testimonies add richness to the dialogue. The book adopts an evidence based medicine (EBM) approach. The first word in the book is 'Welcome!'

I was impressed by the extensive literature research and concise EBM analysis devoted to each chapter. Consequently, this book must find a place in every library serving the medical and dental professions from undergraduate to postgraduate levels throughout the world. Dental vocational trainees and those pursuing continuing professional education (CPE) should own a personal copy.

Two recommendations for the next edition: I thought that we had moved on from the days when patients 'complained of'. Today, patients have a 'presenting problem'.

Barber/dentist days are gone. Can we stop referring to a skilful surgical procedure as an 'extraction'? Who has their appendix or gall bladder extracted? Tooth removal, please, in future.

Chapter 10, dental pain, I thought was rather superficial. This title is the most common cause of orofacial pain. There is no such thing as 'reversible' or 'irreversible' pulpitis in oral pathology. The text actually states that there is no EBM to support these statements. The diagnosis, in either case, is acute pulpitis, which is not mentioned. Then, 'pericoronitis' — I assume this to mean acute pericoronitis, rather than the painless chronic variety. Acute periodontitis is not mentioned at all. 'Periapical periodontitis' (acute?) is an obsolete term — peri-radicular being more accurate. The significance between percussion and tapping tests, as applied to a tooth, is not explained.

Notwithstanding these personal observations, the editors are to be congratulated.

The book is affectionately dedicated to the late Professor Patrick D Wall.