312 J. Dent. 1989; 17: No. 6

structured with the discussion, for instance, on the effects of occlusion on the TM joint and cervical spine, coming under ‘pulp test for vitality’ in the clinical examination. Dr Gelb’s examination of the patient consists of a list of features to look out for, without any explanation of their significance. Of particular concern is his recommendation that all patients should have a minimum of 18 intraoral and TM joint radiographs at the initial examination.

The chapter has numerous extraordinary and unsubstantiated statements. For instance, he states that ‘nutritional inadequacies are often crucial perpetuating factors’ and ‘low levels of 9,. 6,. B,, or folic acid.. . may be responsible when only transitory relief is obtained by specific myofascial treatment’. His treatment for repositioning the mandible, to obtain an ‘optimal neuromuscular balance’, is based on the belief that the condyle must be in the 4-7 position in relation to the fossa, as seen on transcranial radiographs. He does not explain what this means. He does however make some sound recommendations for patient management emphasizing that his philosophy here is ‘LSMFT’- Listening Sympathetically Makes Fine Therapy. I could not agree with Dr Gelb’s conclusion that the treatment offers ‘scientifically sound corrective procedures for restoring proper position of the jaw in three dimensions in space’.

The book is, in effect, a compendium of ‘fringe medicine’. While there is no doubt that the treatment suggested does help some patients, as the many case histories cited testify, there is, however, no scientific basis for many of the claims the author makes and, as such, it cannot be recommended for other than passing consideration. R. P. Juniper

Cross-infection Control in the Dental Surgery. M. V. Martin and P. R. Wood. Videotape. 1988. Howard Everitt Productions, distributed by Castellini Dental Equipment Ltd.

The control of cross-infection is of highest importance in the dental surgery at the present time, when increasing numbers of patients are infected with potentially lethal microorganisms. So, for the practitioner who wishes to see how cross-infection control procedures may be applied to everyday practice, this 35-minute video will demonstrate how these may ideally be carried out. It starts by describing the possible routes of cross-infection, routes that must be blocked by control procedures not only for the well being of staff and patients but also for ethical and medicolegal responsibilities. We are advised that claims for compensation against dentists who neglect their cross-infection control are commonplace. Three basic principles are enunciated:

1. All instruments should be sterilized or disposable. 2. All work surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected,

and these may be marked for easy identification. 3. All necessary instruments should be placed in trays

by the DSA before beginning a dental procedure.

The application of these principles is described in detail; ‘a planned approach to cross-infection control restricts the spread of contamination’. Measures should be easy to implement, well rehearsed, and should not interfere with the busy practice schedule. Here the reception staff can help. Theatre-like conditions are not practical in the dental surgery but likely routes of cross- infection can be eliminated. With hands and eyes at

considerable risk facemasks and protective eyewear are considered essential, as are gloves, which should be discarded on completion of treatment Pregloving handwashing is described using an alcohol-based disinfectant liquid and a standardized routine which is easily learnt. Three stages of instrument sterilization are described, presterilization cleaning, sterilization and aseptic storage. Instruments should be dried after sterilization to prevent rusting and further bacterial growth, and the use of indicator strips to check the adequacy of sterilization is stressed. Handpieces should be autoclaved. As one would have anticipated, the authors, who are in the forefront of current thinking on the topic in the UK, have covered all aspects in a practical, clear fashion. They might however, consider placing their clinical waste in a bag of a different colour from black to distinguish it from everyday, non-clinical waste. This video demonstrates the principles of cross- infection control in a surgery designed with the latest ergonomic features, but none the less they can be transferred to the average dental surgery without having to rebuild the entire premises. F. J. T. Burke

Your Mouth: A Book About Teeth and Dental Care. B. Klinge. Pp. 109. 1987. Beckenham, MediGlobe. Hardback, f 14.95.

This, beautiful, richly illustrated book is intended as an introductory text for dental students and other health-care workers, and as an orientation to dental treatment for patients themselves. Since 1986 Swedish law has required dental personnel to inform patients in a manner which is easily understood and this book aims to help in doing so. It opens with a chapter on oral anatomy and then proceeds, much as any dental undergraduate course, to cover tooth development; fear of dentists and pain control; periodontal disease and caries and their cause, prevention and treatment; diseases of the TMJ; prosthetic treatment; oral surgery; common lesions of oral mucosa; trauma; children’s dentistry; orthodontics and radiographs. (The last should come much earlier.) The style flows well and the layout is interesting. There are many technical terms, only some of which are explained but there is a brief glossary. Given the brevity of each chapter the text manages to cover very economically the pertinent points about clinical procedures, even including some of the newer techniques. As a demystification of such matters as how a filling is made, I think the book is excellent. However, I suspect the author has been unduly reticent with only one exception to clutter the beautiful photographs and diagrams with explanatory labels, and this, I think, is the major shortcoming. Many pictures are not easily located and their relevance unclear. In some places the same applies to the text. For example, eruption dates are listed but the implications of these, such as how long deciduous molars have to last when fissure sealants might be applied and the appropriate age for orthodontics are not stated. Has there been any consumer testing to see whether it really addressed the questions patients might want answered? Of course, a book can only explain so much and the authors are to be congratulated in helping to open up communication with patients. While patients in the UK may not buy this book, I can imagine the more progressive dental practices having a copy. It would also be a useful addition to public and school reference and career libraries. A M. Cushing