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Book Review

T. Burke and R. Freeman, Oxford University Press, 2004, 269 pp., £ 24.95 ISBN 0-19-850864-6

This book adopts a holistic approach to Dental Practice by focusing not only on the clinical aspects of Dentistry, but the business side of practice and the humanity of patient care. Events in Dentistry have overtaken some of the text in this book and the contract changes of 2005 will make sections of this book no longer valid. There is much, however, to recommend, and undergraduates and VDP’s will benefit from many of the chapters.

Section 1 of the book concentrates on the first job and despite the 2005 changes contains some excellent tips on what to look for when choosing your first post. There is, however, a section on ‘Behavioural Management’ that many will find boring. The chapter on ‘Infection Control’ is excellent and provides a comprehensive summary of current requirements.

Section 2 covers the dentist–patient relationship and is very academic, yet has some helpful insights into why people react as they do.

Section 3 concentrates on relationships within the practice and discusses working as a team, developing quality assurance programmers, and the health and welfare of the team. There is a lot of valuable information in this chapter for all.

Section 4 discusses excellence in treatment and is the largest chapter in the book. It covers many clinical topics, health promotion, special needs, dental emergencies, referrals and evidence-based dentistry. The need to discuss health promotion is obvious, but the chapter is overly long, very theoretical and written for academics. The chapters on emergencies and referrals are superb and essential reading for everyone.

Section 5 looks at the business principles of running a Dental Practice and any new graduate will find it invaluable.

Section 6 rounds off the book by looking at the future and, in this period of uncertainty, it is not surprising that this only merits one and a half pages of text.

Overall, this book is a mixture of essential reading and academic theories, but will benefit new graduates and VDP’s greatly.

Bryan Webber

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