Book review

This book, from our most prodigious dental author, is now in its 3rd edition. Crispian Scully has set out ambitious aims to produce a text that will: i) aid the clinician in the diagnosis of the common as well as the more serious oral disorders; ii) suggest appropriate investigations to help confirm the diagnosis; and iii) provide management regimes and/or suggested referral pathways, to complete the patient care package.

To achieve these lofty aims there is much cross-referencing between chapters utilizing tables and algorithms: taking, for example, the single ulcer, the clinician can turn to section 2 (Common complaints), follow the appropriate algorithm and be led towards the more serious diagnosis in section 3 (Potentially malignant disorders), or towards a non-neoplastic diagnosis with management regimes, found in section 4 (Common and important orofacial conditions). Examples of suitable ‘patient information sheets’, as well as useful websites, are provided at the end of each chapter for the benefit of both patient and clinician.