Promoting children's oral health: Theory and practice

Edited by:
  • A. Sheiham &
  • M. Bönecker
(Eds) UK: Quintessence price £29, pp 191 ISBN 8587425609 | ISBN: 8-587-42560-9

Considering the importance of oral health promotion, there are surprisingly few books dedicated to the subject; fewer still are aimed specifically at clinicians primarily working with children. This book is divided into 10 chapters and each is written by a dentist who has worked or studied with Professor Aubrey Sheiham at University College London. Topics covered include the epidemiology of caries, periodontal disease, dental trauma and malocclusion, as well as strategies to promote children's oral health, both on an individual and a population basis. The connection between oral and general health, in particular the Common Risk Factors Approach, is stressed, especially in relation to dietary advice and smoking cessation. The use of fluoride in caries prevention rightfully receives a whole chapter and includes a helpful section on the critical appraisal of published material.

In general, the book is well written and the information provided is clear and easy to read. The text is referenced, and the references listed at the end of each chapter, although nine are missing from the third chapter. Occasionally it is obvious that English is not the first language of half of the authors, but this is rarely problematic. More frustrating are the frequent references to Brazilian studies that, although relatively interesting, are of limited benefit to clinicians based in the United Kingdom. The diagrams and photographs used are comparatively few in number and are habitually of poor quality, superfluous, or are included without explanation.

In summary, this book will perform well as a reference text for those seeking to improve the oral health of our children. While the main body of the text is comprehensive, the shaded text boxes will serve as a useful aide-memoir prior to examinations.