Max Robinson, Keith Hunter, Michael Pemberton, Philip Sloan. 2018; Oxford University Press; price £46.99 pp. 256 ISBN:

9780199697786

New to print, this fifth edition of Soames' and Southam's classic text on oral pathology has been completely revised by experts in the field of oral pathology and oral medicine. More than ten years has passed since the last update and so the content has been modernised to address advancements in diagnostic techniques and evidence-based management guidelines for today's clinical practice. The textbook is available in paperback and e-book format, and is designed to meet the educational needs of both the modern dental professional in training, and existing clinicians, who may require a reference manual in surgery.

As with previous editions, the opening chapter deals with key principles of clinical examination and assessment, the formation of a differential diagnosis and selection of further investigations such as laboratory testing. Subsequent chapters guide the reader through diseases of the oral mucosa, including oral cancer and other potentially malignant disorders; ideal for current practitioners wanting to refresh their knowledge of this core continuing professional development topic. The remaining chapters are arranged in a logical manner, with diseases of the salivary glands; diseases of teeth and supporting structures; jaw cysts and odontogenic tumours and bone disorders.

This edition also features two all new chapters, with 'skin diseases affecting the oro-facial region' describing important lesions that clinicians should recognise on the face and lips. The other new chapter covers the differential diagnosis of neck lumps, describing pathology which is frequently encountered in the dental surgery. The final chapter discusses oral manifestations of systemic disease, and may be of particular interest to undergraduates sitting the human diseases elements of their course.

Overall, this new edition places more emphasis on commonly encountered oral diseases. Detailed descriptions of pathology which is now less prevalent have been removed and new information on diseases more likely to be encountered today has been added. Content of chapters where topics are better dealt with in other texts; such as dental caries, periodontal diseases, temporomandibular joint disorders, and oral diseases in children has similarly been reduced. As in previous editions, handy key points boxes and summary tables are utilised throughout to emphasise important areas, and these provide an excellent aid to learning and revision.

The result is a relatively concise text, at almost half the size of similar publications in the field, which retains its status as a comprehensive guide to oral pathology. It will undoubtedly help form a sound and reliable knowledge base for dental undergraduate study, while remaining an easily accessible read for clinicians wanting to refresh their knowledge of key aspects of clinical oral medicine.