Derek Richards

Profile photo of Derek Richards
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.

Website

Follow me here –

Conservative management of fractured condyles in children gives better clinical results than using same approach in adolescents.

No Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_65234878

Last  Friday we looked at a review that looked at the evidence for the management of fractured condyles in adults.  The aim of this review was to give a comprehensive overview of the international literature, including case reports and clinical studies, focusing on management and outcome of CFs in children and adolescents. What did they [read the full story…]

Available evidence for best treatment approach for fractured mandibular condyles is of poor quality

3 Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_65234878

Fractured mandibular condyles are common representing 25-35% of all mandibular fractures.  They are treated by conservative management (CM) or open reduction/internal fixation (ORIF) but the evidence to support superiority of one method over the other has not been assessed. The aim of this review is to evaluate the current evidence regarding the interventions that can [read the full story…]

Oral swabbing with chlorhexidine reduced risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia

1 Response »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_19406029

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) can be life threatening and its link with good mouth care is a topic we have covered before on Dental Elf (18th April 2012 and  28th Nov 2011). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether oral swabbing with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) decreases the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in [read the full story…]

Hospitalization and oral health

1 Response »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_11223622

We  originally highlighted this review by Terezakis E  et al  at the end of last year, but the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) at the University of York has just completed a more in-depth appraisal of the review. The CRD summary says:- The authors found that oral health appeared to deteriorate during hospitalisation, especially [read the full story…]

Review suggests no significant difference between the caries preventive impact of GIC and resin sealant materials

No Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_15351199- light activated restoration

This critical appraisal of a update of a systematic review was prepared under the auspices of the American Dental Associations Centre for Evidence-based Dentistry. The aim of the review (Mickenautsch & Yengopal 2011) was to assess the caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer and resin-based fissure sealants on permanent teeth. This 2011 review was itself an [read the full story…]

Cognitive behavioural therapy effective for pain control in the initial stage of orthodontic treatment

No Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_81157801-orthodontic appliance

Pain is not an uncommon experience during orthodontic treatment, and has been reported as a cause of treatment discontinuation. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention for patients experiencing pain during orthodontic treatment. Eligible patients were randomised into three groups CBT intervention(n=150), ibuprofen intervention(n=150), and [read the full story…]

Not enough evidence to support the use of low-level laser to minimize pain,swelling, and reduced mouth-opening after third molar removal

No Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_31846396

The removal of third molars is one of the commonest surgical procedures undertaken and the majority of patients develop some degree ofpain, swelling, and trismus after the surgery. Some investigators have stated that low-level laser energy irradiation (LLEI) decreases pain and swelling after surgery, and that it would contribute to a faster recovery. The aim [read the full story…]

Dental X-rays and meningioma – is there a risk?

8 Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_46934869

There have been  a  number of stories in the press  regarding the recent paper  by Claus et al  on dental X-rays and meningiomas.   Meningiomas  are mostly benign tumours which arise from the dura mater and are usually slow-growing.   They are the most common benign brain tumour  although  relatively uncommon with an incidence of around 6 [read the full story…]

New Dental Prescribing App launched

1 Response »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_70250746-assorted pills

The Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) has launched an app for use on iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch® based on the second edition of their Drug Prescribing for Dentistry guidance. The app aims to facilitate drug prescribing within primary care dental practice by providing mobile access to the latest dentally relevant information compiled from [read the full story…]

Easter Break

No Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_61752949

The Dental Elf is taking a short break over the Easter weekend but will be back  on wednesday 11th April.