R. W. Matthews, C. N. Bell. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Ltd price £15.00; pp 80 ISBN

9789380704043

This new textbook and DVD is a published version of a self-directed learning programme that has been previously used by dental students during their oral surgery undergraduate training. The format is such that the user is taken through a variety of subjects in a methodical manner, presented first with the information and then a relevant question to answer. In the textbook, the reader is directed to a new page whereas the computer program takes you directly to the next stage. An incorrect answer is discussed and redirects you to the solution to continue the course, which finishes with a questionnaire.

As the title suggests, the emphasis is placed on the theory of removing teeth with forceps, along with the identification and handling of these instruments. Interwoven are questions on tooth morphology, pre-operative assessment, postoperative instructions and complications together with a handful of relevant illustrations. There is a very good description on patient and operator positioning and the accompanying photographs clearly explain where to stand and place your non-dominant hand. This important information is often overlooked but can help the inexperienced dental student understand and work with the patient more confidently.

The book is written in an informal style and the reader is even encouraged to stop and have a cup of coffee halfway through! The question and answer approach makes it more difficult to use as a reference guide and other textbooks should be read to provide information on the use of elevators, luxators and minor oral surgery which are considered to be beyond the remit of this book.

The Dental local anaesthesia DVD is compatible with Windows XP, easy to run and includes an installation demonstration. Throughout the six sections the topics covered include physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, complications, medical emergencies and their management. Local anaesthesia techniques, ranging from local infiltration to regional nerve blocks, are covered very comprehensively. Although the general computer graphics are quite basic, the use of clearly annotated pictures along with images of the skull and corresponding clinical photographs are excellent.

Overall, this will be a useful learning and revision tool for its target audience of dental students and medical students required to work in areas where a dentist is not available. It would also benefit dental practitioners who wish to test their knowledge in this area but further texts should be consulted to supplement the reader's understanding of exodontia.