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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Orthodontic extractions and third molar angulation

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This review of the effect of orthodontic extractions on the angulation of third molars included only 14 retrospective studies. This provides very low quality evidence of any effect

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Pain during orthodontic treatment: non-pharmacological interventions

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14 trials were included in this Cochrane review of non-pharmacological interventions for orthodontic pain. The findings were inconclusive although there is some evidence that low-level laser therapy may help.

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Retrograde root filling: insufficient evidence for best material

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The Cochrane review of of materials for retrograde root filling identified 6 RCTs all at high risk of bias. The trials provide insufficient evidence to draw any conclusion as to the benefits of any one material over another so more high quality studies are needed.

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Top Dental Elf Blogs of 2016

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During 2016 the Dental Elves has published 158 blogs covering a broad range of topics. The most popular blogs of each month are highlighted.

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Cryotherapy to reduce pain and swelling after facial surgery

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Bariatric surgery and marked weight loss is likely to improve knee complaints but there is a need for high quality studies

This review of postoperative hilothrarpy (cryotherapy) in facial surgery included 6 RCTs none of which were at low risk of bias. The findings suggest that it reduces swelling and pain in the early postoperative period. However more high quality studies from a broader range of researches are needed to confirm the findings.

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External root resorption diagnosis: cone-beam computed tomography or periapical radiographs?

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15 in-vitro studies were included in this review of CBCT & periapical radiographs for the diagnosis of external root resorption. It suggests that CBCT performs better however further research is needed the clinical an cost -effectiveness of its use.

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White spot lesions: available treatments may provide improvements

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This review of treatments for post orthodontic white spot lesions included 20 studies examining a wide variety of approaches. Modest benefits were seen in addition to daily use of fluoride toothpaste and furhter high quality studies are needed to identify the best approaches.

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Secondary caries: limited evidence from in-situ studies

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Nine small in-situ studies were included in this review of the impact of restoration type on secondary caries providing insufficient evidence to make any firm conclusions.

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Maxillary sinus lift surgery: does grafting improve outcomes?

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This review of maxillary sinus lift procedures prior to implant placement included 16 observational studies. The studies suggest no difference in outcomes with or without the use of graft material.

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