Article
This is a beautifully presented book, the 41 chapters contain over 1,000 excellent photographs and diagrams. It has 96 authors mainly drawn from the Unites States (US), who are leaders in the field. The book is structured in a developmental way rather than a disease-focused way, as treating a five-year-old is very different from treating a 15-year-old, which is a different approach to many other paediatric textbooks. In addition to the print version of the book, there is an ebook available at no extra charge. The online version gives access to case studies and videos to further illustrate the text.
The book starts with 12 chapters covering ‘Fundamentals'; areas such as oral pathology, cleft lip and palate, prescribing and pain management, which are not age specific. The next five parts of the book take the developmental approach, looking at the management of children up to three years of age, three to six years, six to 12 years and finally adolescence.
This book aims, and manages, to be a comprehensive reference book on all aspects of paediatric dentistry, covering everything from tooth development to sports dentistry. The authors take an evidence-based approach, for example the chapter on fissure sealants does discuss the relatively newly available hydrophilic materials, but correctly identifies that the evidence to recommend these over glass ionomers in patients where isolation is difficult does not exist. This evidence-based theme is to be commended as it is often absent from textbooks.
The chapter on restoration of primary teeth covers intra-coronal restorations with all relevant materials including amalgam. Extra-coronal restorations discussed include traditional preformed metal crowns, together with zirconia and veneered options. However, I am surprised that this book, which I commend on its evidence-based approach, makes no mention of the Hall Technique.
Who is this booked aimed at? I think its target audience is postgraduate students in the US and those studying for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Board examinations. Those studying paediatric dentistry in programmes that look to American Dentistry for their lead will find the book very useful. To those individuals I thoroughly recommend it. Outside North America there are some issues, some of the practices suggested would not be acceptable and therefore would confuse the non-expert reader. I found the video of deep sedation, which is illegal in the UK, positively frightening as it showed treatment of a semi-conscience child with an uncontrolled airway. Similarly, the use of mouth props goes against all behaviour management teaching in Northern Europe at least. However, having said that, it is educational to see other practices and reflect on one's own practice. I would suggest that this is a ‘must have’ book for those studying/working in paediatric dentistry in the US and countries looking to their style of paediatric dentistry as a lead. As I have said, this book is beautifully presented, largely evidence-based and very well written. Accepting that it may not represent contemporary practice in your country, or setting, most of the information is absolutely valid. Outside North America, the audience will be those teaching postgraduate students to use as a reference book, where students can discuss and be guided as to what is useful in their setting.
I am very pleased to have this book on my shelf and will use it as it is as an all encompassing reference text.