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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Cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive in postoperative palatal pain management

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Gingival graft

This review assessing the effect of cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive (CTA) in the management of palatal wound healing and post-operative pain after epithelialised gingival graft harvesting included just 4 small RCTs. While the findings suggest a potential benefit with CTA both the quantity and quality of the available evidence is very limited.

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Implant-supported overdentures and fixed prostheses in edentulous mandibles

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This review comparing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and clinical outcomes associated with implant-supported overdentures and fixed prostheses in edentulous mandibles included 10 small studies. While the findings suggest better PROMS with fixed prosthesis the available evidence is limited in quality and quantity.

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Superior labial frenum and maxillary midline diastema

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This review aiming to provide information about the association between a superior labial frenum and maxillary midline diastema included 11 cross-sectional studies. The findings suggest that papillary and papillary penetrating frenum may be associated with maxillary midline diastema but the evidence is limited.

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Management of dental patients taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs

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SDCEP- Anticoag-platelets 2022

We take a look at the recently updated guidance on the Management of Dental Patients Taking Anticoagulants or Antiplatelet Drug from the Scottish Dental Clinical effectiveness programme (SDCEP).

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Third molar surgery – Er:Yag lasers and post-operative problems

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This review of the effectiveness of Er:YAG lasers in reducing pain, oedema and trismus compared to rotary instruments for the removal of impacted lower third molars included 6 small studies only one of which was at low risk of bias. The findings suggest a reduction in swelling and a small reduction in pain however the findings should be viewed cautiously because of the limited amount and quality of the evidence.

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Oral lichen planus and autoimmune disorders

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Lichen_planusWickham's

This review of the prevalence of autoimmune disorders in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and their magnitude of association included 153 studies. while links between autoimmune thyroid diseases and diabetes mellitus where shown a majority of the included studies were of low quality.

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Dental neglect in children and adolescents -prevalence and risk factors

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This review of the prevalence of dental neglect and risk factors in children and adolescents included 10 observational studies. A high prevalence of dental neglect (range 10% to 83%) and caries ( range 38.9% to 99% )was identified.

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Enamel demineralisation during multi-bracketed fixed orthodontic treatment

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This overview of systematic reviews of evidence for the prevention of enamel demineralization during fixed appliance orthodontic treatment included 29 reviews. Most of the reviews were considered to have methodological issues with the findings suggesting that professional fluorides, sealants, reminders, and lasers might be useful interventions to prevent enamel demineralization.

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Oral health self-care behaviours in people with a serious mental illness

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This review of the of oral health self-care behaviours in people with serious mental illness (SMI) included 33 studies. Most of the included studies (18) were cross-sectional and a mjority (20)were considered to be of weak design.

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Medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw and non-antiresorptive medications

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This review of the association between non-antiresorptive medications and medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) included 70 studies. A majority of the studies (77%) were case series and the quantity and quality of the evidence is low so the findings should be interpreted cautiously.

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