From the Editor: Minimizing Risk

It’s been nearly 10 years since evidence was published in the Journal of the California Dental Association showing that caries could be prevented and managed through risk assessment. Since then, dentists have been educating themselves on the findings, sorting through various recommendations, and formulating practice protocols. What we have learned is that understanding how risk factors impact the progression of dental caries can lead to effective risk management.

The first continuing education (CE) article in our curriculum this month deals with bridging the gap between preventive and restorative dentistry through identification of caries risk factors. The author points out the importance of being able to identify which risk factors are present in a patient and provides strategies for minimizing risk. Knowing how risk factors contribute to the disease process can be highly useful to a practitioner.

In our other CE, the dentist’s role in diagnosing and treating halitosis is examined. This condition, which can be a source of embarrassment for patients, affects roughly half of the adult population, and patients frequently seek help from their dentist. This review proposes a diagnostic process that can be used to determine the presence of halitosis, discusses etiologies, and recommends an individualized approach to treatment. Recommendations for referrals to other healthcare professionals are also made.

With the increase in the volume of cement-retained implant prostheses has come the need for effective retrieval of a defective prosthesis. A clinical technique review this month delineates a step-by-step process for removal of a cement implant crown. Additionally, one of our case reports focuses on the negative effect of uncontrolled abutment margin depths and excess cement when using the “one abutment–one time” approach to implant treatment.

The education process for clinicians is a continuum. Enrolling in Compendium’s CE plan is a smart way to continue your training—and save on CE credits. See p.716 for program information, and be sure to visit us at CCED.CDEWORLD.COM for a world of dental CE.

Sincerely,

Louis F. Rose, DDS, MD

Editor-In-Chief