Advances in surgical and medical interventions and therapeutics continue apace and raise issues in relation to their appreciation, including their respective advantages and disadvantages, within the context of modern dentistry. The aim of this book is to provide a basis for the understanding of modern medicine and surgery on oral health and oral health care, and to help dental health workers deliver safe care within a framework of informed consent. In this 7th edition, many new topics have been added, which range from the additional of new medical disorders, relevant developments in pharmacology, including the use of biological therapies, social issues such as elder maltreatment and care of other vulnerable patients, and new national and international guidelines.

"...an extremely valuable source of information that should be in the armamentarium of any dental professional..." Reviewed by European Journal of Orthodontics, Feb 2015

"... seems as close as could be to a completely comprehensive overview of common and uncommon medical problems and their dental relevance". Reviewed by Bex Stockton on behalf of BDJ Student, February 2015



Helps understanding of the relevant illness as identified from the patient's history, physical examination and investigations;
Shows readers how to present a succinct and, when appropriate, unified list of all problems that could influence oral health care and formulate a diagnosis/treatment plan for each problem;
Emphasises the need to appreciate issues of access and informed consent, preventive oral health care and the avoidance of harm;
Enables the reader to develop strategies to identify patients at risk of medical problems, to assess the severity of those risks and, where necessary, to recognize the need for referral;
Places emphasis on good communication between all health-care professionals, and between HCPs and patients;
Emphasises the need to take into account people's cultural needs and preferences as well as deal with patients who may have additional needs such as physical, sensory or learning disabilities;
User-friendly format allows ease of access to information whether for exam revision purposes or for a specific issue confronting staff in a busy clinical environment.



Includes an array of new disorders ranging from hypersensitivity syndrome to neuropathic pain;
Discusses recent updates in pharmacology and other aspects of medical intervention, including the use of biological therapies;
Explores new areas such as cosmetic and other implants, dental materials hypersensitivity, drugs and dietary interactions and new aspects of alternative medicine;
Other issues include elder maltreatment, care of vulnerable people, treatment of sexual minorities, new substance abuse and self-harm;
Explores the link between periodontal infection and various systemic diseases;
New national and international guidelines, selected recent references and up-to-date websites.