Dental Caries: The Disease and Its Clinical Management, 2nd ed.

Ole Fejerskov, D.D.S., Ph.D. and Edwina Kidd, B.D.S., Ph.D., eds. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Munksgaard Ltd., 2008. 616 pp., illustrated, indexed $164 hardcover ISBN 978-1-4051-3889-5 Reviewed by: Joel Berg, D.D.S., M.S. and Ana Lucia Seminario, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Dr. Berg is Professor and Lloyd and Kay Chapman Chair for Oral Health, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, and Dr. Seminario is Acting Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistryboth at the University of Washington School of Dentistry. Direct correspondence to Dr. Joel Berg, University of Washington School of Dentistry, 1959 NE Pacific St., B242, Box 357136, Seattle, WA 98195-7136; 206-543-4885 phone; 206-616-7470 fax; joelberg@u.washington.edu.

This book develops, in depth, the process of dental caries as a multifactorial disease: its components, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Fejerskov and Kidds edited volume explores the pathology of dental caries from the individual and the population level, providing key factors that make the pattern of the disease different according to the individual or group that is affected. It also evaluates new effective techniques for arresting active caries lesions; for that, the authors introduce different approaches from internationally recognized dental schools. The selection of the books contributors is a factor in its quality. All are prestigious professionals in their own fields, and the collection of their contributions makes the discussion and the impact of the book richer. This book offers solid concepts of cariology based on a high quality of research; it is an evidencebased dentistry book. Because of the high quality of the illustrations, the radiographs, pictures of cases, and graphics are also used as an extra tool to improve any readers understanding of the literature, regardless of ones knowledge of the research. One of the points of major interest is the presentation of two different approaches in cariology: the American and the European. The discussion of different ideologies and effective treatment techniques from both sides offers a complete evaluation of dental caries from different perspectives. Other strong points are the chapters on dental caries in a biological context: the shift in the microbiology paradigm from the specific plaque hypothesis in the development of dental caries to the dental biofilm model is well documented. Another strong point is the chapter on clinical caries epidemiology. It offers a good explanation of the disease and its consequences in different populations with different risks. The use of graphics helps the reader to visualize epidemiologic concepts. The American data regarding population and subgroups and with long follow-ups are of good quality. Regarding weak points, there perhaps could be some additional information about failures in operative treatment and how they are related to the progression of dental caries. The style of writing is clear, objective, and straightforward. The sequence of the chapters is logical and helps the reader to understand how the authors thought through the design of such a broad area as cariology. The pictures, graphics, and illustrations are of excellent quality and in appropriate sizes. From the educational point of view, visualization is a good instrument in the learning process of students, especially undergraduates. We strongly recommend this book as a very useful tool for education in cariology, for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. We recommend its purchase for, at a minimum, those predoctoral students involved in caries research or who plan to engage in a career in academics. For all dental audiences, it is an outstanding reference, and we definitely recommend it for the libraries of dental and medical education centers.

April 2009

Journal of Dental Education

527