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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Parotid gland tumours and mobile phone use?

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The study used data from a previous telephone survey, which focused on depression, concussion and brain injury, amongst other things

This review of parotid gland tumours and mobile phone use included 3 case-controlled studies and hints at a possible association. However the limited evidence means that the findings should be viewed very cautiously.

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Periodontal treatment: outcomes from long-term conservative management

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In patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis this longitudinal study demonstrated that long-term tooth retention is possible for compliant patients using a non-regenerative treatment concept.

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Tranexamic acid for minor oral surgery in anticoagulated patients

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5 good but small RCTs were identified for this review of topical tranexamic acid (TXA) for minor oral surgery in patients on anticoagulants. The findings suggest that TXA irrigation and mouthwash may reduce the risk of bleeding.

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Keratocystic odontogenic tumours- which surgical approach?

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This review of surgical approaches for keratocystic odontogenic tumour identified 35 mainly retrospective studies. Radical resection had the lowest recurrence rate but has significant morbidity. Higher quality evidence is to clarify the evidence for the varying surgical approaches.

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Third molar removal: conventional or piezoelectric device for osteotomy?

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Fifteen studies (5 RCTs) were included in this review of piezoelectric surgery for third molar removal. The findings suggest better outcomes with piezoelectric surgery however the limited quality of the available evidence means that the findings should be viewed with caution.

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Autotransplantation of permanent teeth with an open apex

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21 methodologically weak studies were included in this review of autotransplantation of permanent teeth with open apex. The findings suggest good survival and success rates however the limited quality of the studies mean the findings should be interpreted with caution.

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Pre-operative analgesia for patients with pulpitis improved anaesthetic success

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Many drugs are licensed for use in Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), but it is unclear what works best.

16 RCTs involving 1900 patients were included in this review of pre-op analgesia for patients with pulpitis . The findings suggest that premedication with analgesics improves the success rate of local anaesthesia.

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Class III malocclusion: early treatment with facemask beneficial

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This review of the early treatment of class III malocclusion identified 15 studies (9 RCTs, 6 CCTs) providing moderate quality evidence that early treatment with a facemask results in positive improvement for both skeletal and dental effects in the short term.

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Hypotensive anaesthesia: effective in reducing blood loss in orthognathic surgery

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The potential use of hypotensive anaesthesia for maxillofacial surgery was first noted in the 1950s. Since then a number of studies have been reported on the effects of hypotensive anaesthesia in relation to blood loss operating time and surgical field quality producing conflicting results. The aim of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of [read the full story…]

Endodontic postoperative pain: which non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug?

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Many drugs are licensed for use in Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), but it is unclear what works best.

The review of NSAIDs for endodontic postoperative pain suggests that NSAIDs are effective. A combination of ibuprofen 600 mg and acetaminophen 1000 mg and Ibuprofen 600 mg were both effective. More studies are need to assess teh most effective NSAIDs dosages and does intervals.

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