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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Gingival recession: long term outcomes of no treatment

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Six studies were included in this review of gingival recession. The findings suggest that in patients with good oral hygiene recession is likely to progress.

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Root canal treatment: single or multiple visits?

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pulp

This Cochrane review update included 25 RCTs comparing single verses multiple root canal treatment approaches. They found no evidence to suggest that one treatment regimen is better than the other.

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Dental Implants: microthreads in crestal area and marginal bone loss.

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This review of the effect of microthreads on marginal bone loss around implants identified 5 small RCTs with relatively short follow up times. While a beneficial effect was noted the clinical relevance will require more high quality studies with longer follow up period to determine.

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Burning mouth syndrome: insufficient evidence for effectiveness of current treatments

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Depression

This update of a 2005 Cochrane review identified 23 RCTs but a limited number at low risk of bias so there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of any interventions in managing burning mouth syndrome.

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Ceramic crowns: effect of endodontic access on fracture resistance

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This review of the effect of endodontic access on fracture resistance of all-ceramic crowns included 8 in-vitro studies providing some indication of potential factors that may impact on fracture resistance.

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Autism spectrum disorders- caries and periodontal disease levels high?

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7 small observational studies were included in this review of oral health status in people with autism spectrum disorders higher levels of caries and periodontal disease are suggested in this population.

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Endodontic treatments for immature necrotic teeth

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This review of endodontic treatments for immature teeth included 7 small RCTs at medium to high risk of bias. They suggest that mineral trioxide (MTA) may provide better clinical outcomes in relation to apical closure but the findings should be interpreted with caution.

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Molar-incisor hypomineralisation

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HSPM Molar-Incisor hypomineralisation

This review of molar-incisor hypomineralisation management only included 14 limited quality and mainly observations studies.For molars composites, preformed metal crowns or indirect restorations seem suitable but more high quality studies are needed.

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Oral Clefts and maternal smoking associated suggests review

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This review examined the link between maternal smoking and oral clefts. 29 studies ( 6 Cohorts & 23 case control studies) were included and a positive association has noted. No quality assessment of the included studies was presented.

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