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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Dental visits and head and neck cancer

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This review of a link between past dental visits/check-ups and the incidence cancers of head and neck includes 38 studies the majority of which are case-controlled studies. The findings suggest that those are irregular of never attenders are more likely to have head and neck cancer.

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Mobile apps- can then improve dental health?

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This RCT looked at whether Mentalization Based Treatment for Adolescents reduced self-harming beahviour

This review of the effectiveness of mobile applications and text messages on oral health included 15 RCTs providing very low quality evidence of reduction is plaque and gingival bleeding.

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Baking soda toothpaste for control of plaque and gingivitis?

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This review of the effect of baking soda toothpastes on plaque and gingivitis included 21 studies providing 43 comparisons that suggest some benefit with respect to plaque removal.

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Avulsed teeth – what is the best management option?

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4 RCTs were included in ths Cochrane review update of interventions for avulsed and replanted permanent front teeth. None of the included studies was at low risk of bias and there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of different interventions.

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Metal-ceramic vs ceramic: Material of choice for restoring implants?

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This review comparing ceramic and metal-ceramic restorations was developed by MSc Students from @UClanDentistry during a recent workshop. While the findings suggest no difference between the two materials only a small number of limited quality studies are available.

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Platelet Rich Fibrin as a biomaterial in oral surgery

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This blog on a review of the efficacy of platelet rich fibrin (PRF) in oral surgery procedures was prepared by MSc Students from @UClanDentistry during a workshop with the @TheDentalElf. The review includes 30 small studies of limited quality more high quality studies are needed to assess effectiveness.

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Periodontitis and preterm birth

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Antenatal mental health is a growing UK clinical and research priority, which affects all pregnant women

This review assessing the association between periodontitis and preterm birth included 31 studies with 20 contributing to a meta-analysis suggesting a significant positive association 2.01 (95%CI; 1.71 – 2.36).

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Cavity liners for resin-based composite restorations

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No new trials were available for this Cochrane review update. Only 8 RCTs were available providing inconsistent, low-quality evidence for a difference in postoperative hypersensitivity after placing a liner for posterior resin-based composite restorations in adult permanent teeth.

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Fluoride toothpaste: Effects of different fluoride concentrations on caries

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This Cochrane review of effectiveness of different fluoride concentrations of toothpaste in reducing dental caries updates the 2010 review and includes 96 RCTs. It provideds good evidence to support the benefits of using fluoride toothpaste in preventing caries and demonstrates a does response effect.

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All-ceramic implant-supported single crowns

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This review of survival and technical complication rates of all-ceramic implant-supported single crowns included 41 mainly observational studies suggesting high survival rates for all-ceramic implant supported single crowns.

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