Derek Richards

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Derek Richards is a specialist in dental public health, Director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Dentistry and Specialist Advisor to the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) Development Team. A former editor of the Evidence-Based Dentistry Journal and chief blogger for the Dental Elf website until December 2023. Derek has been involved with a wide range of evidence-based initiatives both nationally and internationally since 1994. Derek retired from the NHS in 2019 remaining as a part-time senior lecturer at Dundee Dental School until the end of 2023.

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Hypomineralised second primary molars and prenatal, perinatal and postnatal exposures

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HSPM Molar-Incisor hypomineralisation

This review of adverse health conditions in the prenatal, perinatal and postnatal periods and associations with hypomineralised second primary molars(HSPM) included 14 studies. The findings suggest associations between HSPM and a number of condition but findings should be interpreted cautiously.

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Endodontic sealers and the outcome of endodontically treated permanent teeth

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This review comparig the outcomes of silicate-based sealers with resin-based sealers in non-surgical root treatments included 12 studies (9 RCTs). The findings suggest no difference between the two sealant types in the short term.

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Periodontal treatment and glycaemic control in people with diabetes mellitus

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This Cochrane review of the effects of periodontal treatment on glycaemic control in people with diabetes mellitus and periodontitis updates the 2015 version. The earlier conclusions have changed and there is now moderate‐certainty evidence that periodontal treatment using subgingival instrumentation improves glycaemic control in those with periodontitis and diabetes.

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Easter Break

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  The Dental Elves are taking a break over the Easter holiday period and will be back on the 25th April.      

Orthodontic force and dental pulp changes

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This review of the clinical and radiographic findings of orthodontic force application on the dental pulp included 26 studies. While increase in pulpal sensibility clinical response, an immediate decrease in pulpal blood flow, changes in pulp cavity volume, and an increase in the incidence of pulp stone formation the studies were mostly small and of low quality so the certainty of the available evidence is graded as very low.

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Traumatic dental injuries in primary teeth – prevalence of clinical and radiographic sequalae

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This review of the prevalence of clinical and radiographic sequelae following traumatic dental injuries to primary teeth included 25 cross-sectional studies. Crown discolouration followed by pulp necrosis with infection were the most common sequelae but the findings should be viewd with caution because the evidence is of very low certainty.

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Occlusal schemes for complete dentures

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This overview of reviews of the influence of occlusal schemes on the clinical performance of and patient satisfaction with complete dentures included 10 systematic reviews. While the findings suggest that occlusal schemes might interfere with the clinical performance the results should be carefully considered because of the low quality of the systematic reviews included.

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Photodynamic therapy for denture stomatitis

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This review of comparing photodynamic therapy (PDT) and antifungals or the treatment of denture stomatitis included 5 studies involving a total of 218 patients. While the findings suggest that PDT is effective none of the the studies was at low risk of bias and the treatment protocols investigated differ.

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Air polishing or hand and/or power-driven instruments in supportive periodontal therapy

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This review of air polishing devices (APDs) in comparison with hand instruments and/or power-driven instruments in supportive periodontal treatment and implant maintenance included 6 RCTs. 4 of the 6 included studies were considered to be at high risk of bias so the findings should be interpreted cautiously.

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Ibuprofen prior to lower third molar removal

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This review of the effect of pre-emptive ibuprofen on post-operative pain after lower third molar surgery included 5 RCTs. Only one of the included studies was at low risk of bias so there is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of pre-emptive ibuprofen to reduce post-operative pain after lower third molar removal

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