348 Journal of Dentistry Vol. g/No.

of general dental practice which is not covered. Some may criticize the text as being too simplistic but at
the end of each section references are given for more in-depth reading.
Jack Manning is to be congratulated on developing a very useful handbook for the general practitioner,
particularly the recent graduate. In the past a number of editors have endeavoured to produce compen-
diums and indeed are still doing so, but have experienced the usual difficulty found in multi-authored
texts, that of acquiring all the material at the same time. By issuing this book as a part-work or in instal-
ments he has been able to ensure that each section is up to date on publication.
Donald D. Derrick

DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH: AN INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH. 2nd ed.

Ed. by G. L. Slack. 216 X 138 mm. Pp. 354, with 40 illustrations. 1981. Bristol, Wright, E12.00.

Every professional field of study needs a basic primer, which sets out in clear and easily readable form the
general principles of the subject and which, while making no assumptions as to prior knowledge, forms a
jumping-off point from which students can expand their learning. The discipline of community dental
health as a specialist subject within dentistry is very young; the concept of all dentistry being community
dentistry in a wider sense is becoming generally recognized. When the first edition of this book was
published in 1974, the speciality was in its infancy as only within the previous decade or so had a place
for it been accepted in this country. The first edition drew together 16 acknowledged authorities in
teaching, research and practice in fields related to community dental health and in one short volume
provided a topographical view that placed the speciality fairly into its relationships with current practice.
From that time, it formed everyman’s simple, clear and concise guide to the subject and for many
postgraduate students and public health practitioners making their first faltering steps into a seemingly
uncharted field it formed their first introduction. The great value of the first edition was apparent in
several ways. It formed a clear general statement of the relevant subject matter. It provided a firm basis
for further study and reading, with generous and up-todate references to most of the important source
papers and to the working practitioner ln dental public health it provided a convenient reference and
instant answers to everyday questions.
In the 7 years between the two editions, much progress has taken place in some fields of dental public
health, while underlying principles have not lost their relevance. As a result, some general chapters of the
fust edition reappear little changed while others, such as the chapters on service planning, computer
applications and the dental team are substantially brought up to date. In particular, the references incor-
porate much research and results in practice which have developed between the two editions.
The chapters on Epidemiology, Fluoridation and Statistical Principles remain particularly valuable to
practitioner and student and this book, which is produced throughout in easily readable literary style and
printing deserves to be read and retained as a reference by every member of the profession, without
respect to the particular branch of dental practice with which he is Involved.
A. J. Sweetman

A MANUAL OF FOUR-HANDED DENTISTRY. By J. Ellis Paul. Pp. 155, with 264 illustrations. 1980.
Chicago, Quintessence. US$42.

Many people will remember Ellis Paul’s series of articles on assisted operating that appeared in the British
Dental Journal during 1972. They were a useful guide to the principles involved in this approach to
dentistry and the present book is a natural development from them. Indeed, it is a pity that it has not
appeared sooner since it provides an excellent and comprehensive guide to the principles and practice of
teamwork in dentistry, with an emphasis on work simplification and the importance of adopting a balanced
stress-free posture when working, in addition to providing instruction in assisted operating. As Professor
Butler writes in his foreword, ‘This manual is concerned with the well-being of the practising dental team’.
The book opens with a discussion on principles: the prinicple of adopting proper working posture for
the dentist and the DSA, the principle of working with a fully supine patient, the principle of teamwork
and proper division of duties between members of the team. It continues with a chapter specifically
devoted to aspiration techniques, where it is interesting to note the author’s advocacy of the right-angled
aspirator (which is readily appreciated by those who have used one for any period of time). A useful
distinction is made here between aspiration ‘on site’ and from the region of the fauces.
Maintenance of operator vision is fundamental to good dentistry, yet frequently neglected or over-
come by the adoption of bad posture. A complete chapter is given to this important topic. This is followed
by two chapters giving detailed information on instrument handling and exchange and a short section on
the use of tray systems.
Four chapters are then given to describing and illustrating in detail selected clinical procedures. These
include the proper use of close-support assistance in the placement of rubber dam, the placing of plastic
Book Reviews 349

restorations, the taking of impressions and other aspects of crown and bridge work. Most of these sections
are described very clearly and precisely. A smalI exception is Chapter 10 which perhaps suffers from
attempting to reduce the length of text and number of illustrations so that timing of some aspects of the
procedures in relation to each other becomes slightly blurred.
A final section outlines a possible training routine in four-handed dentistry that can be undertaken by
dentists and dental surgery assistants. This outlines a scheme very similar to that which has been used
successfully by the author, the reviewer and others from time to time.
This book is very well presented with a high number of good quality illustrations placed in close
proximity to the appropriate section of the text. In order to gain the maximum benefit from it the book
demands and repays careful study, referring from text to figures and text again, but this attention and
study is well worthwhile for both dentist and assistant. Almost all the illustrations are good and clear.
Minor criticism might be made of Fig. 93 where the view of the lower jaw is taken as the dentist would
see it, which involves inverting the mouth as compared with the position of all other illustrations. It is also
a pity that Fig. 132 shows a water boiler alongside a tray storage system and it appears that there has been
some degree of ‘cheating’ in moving from Fig. I61 to Fig. 162. It is also a pity that American terminology
has been used in a number of instances since not many people continue to refer to canines as ‘cuspids’ or
premolars as ‘bicuspids’ and instinctively one shrinks from phrases such as ‘the multi-operatory office’!
American spelling has to be accepted, however, since the book is published in the United States.
These, however, are very minor reservations and the only other one concerns the price, since the book
is expensive. In spite of this, however, it can be recommended confidently and I have no doubt that all
who read it will benefit significantly if they will follow the guidance given by the author.
David S. Shovelton

CURRENT ADVANCES IN ORAL SURGERY. Vol. III. Ed. by William B. Irby with 14 contributors.
254 X 176 mm. Pp. 344. Illustrated. 1980. St Louis, Mosby. 236.75.

Unlike Volumes I and II this one concentrates upon a single topic, namely the temporomandibular joint.
Practical surgeons hoping for an introduction to new surgical procedures which will solve the problems
posed by their more difficult cases may be disappointed to find that surgical treatment is reserved for
Chapter 11. Nevertheless, the emphasis is clearly right, because this chapter opens with a reminder that
less than 5 per cent of patients with TMJ problems need surgical treatment. The editor himself tackles this
particular subject, reviews the newer procedures against a background of the old and states fiily his own
preferences with reasons.
The early chapters review the anatomy of the joint and development of the jaws, considering specifi-
cally the role of the condyle in development of the mandible. Other recent books cover the same ground
in a similar fashion but here the authors seem to be at pains to produce a balanced view.
The chapter on the Diagnosis of Facial Pain Syndromes and Headache is written by a neurosurgeon
and has nodirect bearing upon the general thread of the book. The author seems convinced of the correct-
ness of Dandy’s view as to the cause of trigeminal and similar neuralgias, namely compression of the
pregangionic part of the nerve by an aberrant or displaced vessel. This conviction aside he presents us
with a detailed, clear and readable account which oral surgical readers will appreciate.
There follows a chapter on Psychological Testing and Evaluation which describes the use of special
written tests. While no doubt the method is both valid and valuable, it seems odd that more emphasis is
not placed upon personal interview.
Restorative dentists must expect oral surgeons to be sceptical about the minutia of occlusal equili-
bration. There is no doubt that occlusal abnormalities play a part in TMJ disturbances but the elaborate
views expressed in the next chapter and some of those given under the heading of ‘non-surgical treatment
for TMJ disorders’ failed to convince the present reviewer.
A detailed and extensively documented review of radiographic technique used for the joint completes
the contents of this volume.
Few topics in the field of dentistry are more controversial in all aspects than the temporomandrbular
joint. Dr Irby has assembled a most useful review and one which is not too bulky. While written primarily
for oral surgeons it should have a much wider appeal because of the breadth of coverage.
C. R. Seward

NUTRITION IN PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE. 2nd Ed. By Abraham E. Nizel.
246 X 168 mm. Pp. 611 + xi, with 150 illustrations. 1981. Philadelphia, Saunders, g14.95.

Few, if any, dental schools in the UK offer the student a course in nutrition as such; instead the essential
subject matter is assumed to be assimilated, piecemeal, from the instruction in physiology, oral medicine