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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Platelet-rich fibrin and third molar surgery outcomes

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This review of the effectiveness of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in reducing postoperative complications of third molar surgery included 10 small RCTs suggesting that PRF may reduce but not prevent some complications.

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Doxycycline as an adjunct to scaling and root planning in diabetics

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This review of the effectiveness of systemic doxycycline as an adjunct to scaling and root planning (SRP) with SRP alone in diabetic patients with periodontitis included 6 small RCTs suggesting no additional benefit from systemic docycycline.

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Desensitising toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity a network meta-analysis

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This network meta-analysis comparing the effect of different desensitising toothpastes on dentine hypersensitivity included 30 RCTs. The findings suggest that toothpastes containing nano-hydroxyapatite or arginine may be the most effective. However additional larger studies are required.

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Mandibular angle fractures: 1 or 2 miniplates?

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This review of the use of 1 or 2 miniplates for the treatment of mandibular angle fractures included 13 studies 3 of which were RCTs. The findings suggest fewer complications with single miniplate fixation.

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Laser preparation of tooth surfaces before fissure sealant placement

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This review of laser preparation compared to other types of tooth surface preparation before fissure sealant placement included 5 RCTs. While the review suggested that retention rates with laser preparation were similar to acid etching the included studies were small and at high risk of bias. Thefore the findings should be considered very cautiously.

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Peri-implant disease: Does supportive periodontal treatment improve implant survival?

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This review of the impact of supportive periodontal treatment (SPT) following implant placement on peri-implant disease and survival rates included 9 studies. While the findings suggests that SPT can improve peri‐implant health the quality of the available evidence is limited so high quality well conducted prospective studies are needed.

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Root resorption in patients having clear aligner orthodontic treatment

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This reviews of external root resorption (ERR) in patients receiving clear aligners treatment (CAT) with those being treated with fixed appliances included 11 observational studies. While the findings suggest ERR may be lower in patients treated with CAT the quality of the evidence is limited.

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Micro-osteoperforation: Does it speed up tooth movement?

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This review of the effects of micro-osteoperforation on the rate of tooth movement in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment included 6 RCTs. Although meta-analysis found a small statistical benefit in favour of micro-osteoperforation in the short term the clinical benefits particularly over the duration of a course of treatment remain unclear.

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Subcutaneous emphysema during root canal treatment

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This review of the factors affecting the development ofsubcutaneous emphysema during root canal therapy included
51 studies describing 65 cases. A majority (48%) were linked to drying tooth canals with pressurised air in three-way syringe

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Screen time: Is it linked to intake of cariogenic food in children?

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Polls regularly highlight 'growing fears' about children being bullied on the internet.

This review of the association between screen-time behaviour and diet, including a potentially cariogenic diet, in children younger than 12 years old includes 19 cross-sectional studies. All of the included studies suggest a relationship.

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