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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Sleep bruxism: are oral appliances beneficial?

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depression

Sixteen studies were included in this review of oral appliances for sleep bruxism. The included studies were small and mainly short term and only 7 studies were RCTs . Although the availabel evidence suggests a short term benefit further high-quality studies of longer duration are needed.

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Lingual orthodontic appliances: are treatment effects different from buccal appliances?

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This review comparing the treatment effects of lingual and buccal orthodontic appliances only identified 4 small low quality studies. No differences were found however the findings should be interpreted cautiously.

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Laser therapy for oral lichen planus

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Lichen_planusWickham's

This review comparing low level laser therapy (LLLT) with steroids for the treatment of oral lichen planus only identified 5 studies none of which were at low risk of bias. Further high quality trials are needed to assess the efficacy of LLLT.

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Denture hygiene practices

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25 studies were included in this review of denture hygiene practices. Mechanical interventions in conjunction with chemical agents were the most effective, Denture brushing was the most common patient practice.

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Halitosis: effect of periodontal treatment

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We'd like to see the 'C' word (Committing Suicide) eradicated from all discussions about suicide.

Eight low quality studies were included in this review of the effect of scaling and root planing, professional tooth cleaning together with oral hygiene instructions on halitosis. All the studies demonstrated a positive effect but the findings need to be interpret cautiously.

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Shortened dental arch: does prosthetic treatment have a positive impact?

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This small trial compared the restoration of the posterior reduced dental arch with either a denture or no denture. They found greater satisfaction and quality of life in the no denture group.

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Do overdentures improve nutrient status?

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Older people with learning disabilities need opportunities to speak for themselves

This review comparing the impact of overdentures with conventional dentures on nutritional status included 8 studies finding no difference in relation to BMI, albumin or vitamin B12 6 months 
after treatment among the older population

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Treating periodontitis to prevent heart disease – evidence unclear

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heart attack

Only 1 trial at high risk of bias was included in this recent update of a 2014 Cochrane review of periodontal therapy for preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) providing insufficient evidence to support or refute whether periodontal therapy can prevent the recurrence of CVD in the long term in patients with chronic periodontitis.

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Tooth loss: does it affect dietary intake and nutritional status?

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A Mediterranean diet high in fruits, vegetables, fish and wholegrains has been associated with decreased depression. Is there a key ingredient?

This review of the impact of tooth loss on dietary intake and nutritional status included 8 low quality cohort studies. Weak and inconsistent evidence of an association was seen. Further high quality studies are needed.

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Dementia and oral health status

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Caring for a loved one with dementia can be stressful at times.

28 observational studies were included in this review of the oral health status of people with dementia. The findings suggest that compared with people without dementia those with dementia have poorer oral health.

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