Compiled by Roshni Patel

Edited by Barbara O'Kane and Laura Barritt

2022; Thieme

520 pages

ISBN-10: 1626237816

figure 1

Written by a panel of experts, Neuroscience for Dentistry is important for those wanting to develop their understanding into the sometimes confusing and convoluted topic of foundational and specific head and neck neuroscience, by delivering it in an in-depth and easy to understand manner.

Intended for a dental audience, this book uniquely focuses on head and neck neuroscience, unlike most existing texts, allowing readers to have a comprehensive textbook incorporating the orofacial region but in the context of general neuroscience.

This inaugural edition is divided into two sections - fundamental neuroanatomy and orofacial neuroscience. The latter focuses on a variety of topics including cranial nerves; neuromuscular control of mastication, speech and swallowing; the temporomandibular joint; salivary glands; teeth; orofacial pain and local anaesthesia. Despite the vast number of topics covered, this is easily navigable through the table of contents with specific headings and subheadings to facilitate ease of use. The summaries in the learning objectives sections highlight the take home messages for each chapter and clinical correlation segments integrated throughout the text emphasise the relevance of the neuroscience to clinical disorders.

The book is presented well with the appropriate use of clinical photographs and tables where necessary, to demonstrate points made. Accurate and self-explanatory diagrams and illustrations mean that even the most complex neural pathways and anatomy become easier to visualise and therefore understand. The writing style is easy to comprehend without compromising any scientific integrity.

By its own admission, although written for dental students, this is not the sole target audience and instead highlights other healthcare professionals and students who would also find this book useful. Having been targeted at an American audience, at the end of each chapter are national board style questions to emphasise board-relevant information, however these questions are also useful for an international cohort allowing for self study and assessment of one's own knowledge.

Overall, this book provides a helpful overview of neuroscience, with the potential to be a good resource for those specifically requiring a more orofacial oriented textbook, to improve their understanding and knowledge.