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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Vibrational devices: Do they accelerate orthodontic tooth movement?

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Only 5 small low quality RCTs were identified for this review of the ability of vibrational devices to increase the rate of orthodontic tooth movement. More well conducted RCTs are needed.

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Temporomandibular joints: Prevalence of degenerative joint disease

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This review the prevalence of degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the temporomandibular joints included 32 studies only 6 being considered at low risk of bias. While a high prevalence of DJD was seen in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis the findings should be viewed cautiously.

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Periodontitis: How good are current prediction models?

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12 prediction models for periodontitis incidence and progression were identified in 7 studies. There were several methodological and reporting shortcomings of published prediction models and indicated further research is required.

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Carious lesions: guidelines for non-restorative treatments.

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This evidence-based clinical practice guideline on the non-restorative treatments for carious lesions in primary and permanent teeth from the American Dental Association provides 11 recommendations.

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Calcium hydroxide as lining for deep caries lesions?

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16 low quality RCTs were included in this review of the effect of calcium hydroxide lining on clinical success in treatment of deep carious lesions. 6 RCTs contributed to the meta-analysis suggesting no beneficial effect.

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Aloe vera for treatment of oral submucous fibrosis?

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This review effectiveness of aloe vera on alleviating the symptoms of oral submucous fibrosis included 6 RCTs . The findings suggest a possible benefit but 5 of the trials were at high risk of bias so the findings should be viewed cautiously.

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Periodontal infrabony defects: does autologous platelet concentrates (APC) improve surgical outcomes

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38 RCTs were included in this Cochrane review of the effects of autologous platelet concentrates (APC) used as an adjunct to periodontal surgery. Very low quality evidence was found for two approaches involving open flap debridement.

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Articaine or Lidocaine for third molar removal?

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This review of anaesthetic efficiency of articaine for lower third molar extraction included 9 RCTs ( 493 patients -770 lower molars). The findings suggest that 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine possesses superior anaesthetic efficiency relative to lidocaine.

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Probiotics for oral health?

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This review of the effect of probiotic containing dairy products on oral health included 32 studies involving a broad range of dairy products suggesting a positive effect on S.Mutans (SM) levels and salivary pH.

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Micro-invasive treatments for proximal caries

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Seven RCTs were included in this review of of micro-invasive interventions for non-cavitated proximal caries suggesting that resin infiltration is effective in arresting caries progression.

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