Oral implantology surgical procedures checklist

  • L. Al-Faraje
Quintessence price £46.00; pp 92 ISBN 9780867155709 | ISBN: 978-0-8671-5570-9

This A5 size text is presented in ring-binder format, has a card spine allowing it to stand upright, and is printed on pages that can be wiped clean. It is designed to be used as a checklist. The author states he has experience in the aviation industry where safety checklists are common and has translated this to implant dentistry.

The book is neatly laid out in six tabulated chapters making it easy to navigate. The chapters outline all stages of surgical implantology from the planning phase to postoperative management. There are also handy chapters on instrumentation, management of complications and mini implant placement.

The text does not read like a normal book. Instead, it is laid out solely in bullet points with clear step-by-step instructions for each component of implant placement/management. The idea is to work through the checklist with no stage left out, whilst also functioning as an aide-memoire.

Diagrams are limited but those which are present are simple to understand and are succinct with the text. Unfortunately, the steps proposed by the author are not referenced with regard to the current evidence-base and seem largely to be down to personal opinion. It must also be remembered that the book is written for an American audience so some of the drug doses, instruments and techniques used may need to be translated.

I found this book easy to use in practice but it was also useful for the whole dental team from setting up equipment, performing patient checks and providing postoperative advice.

For confident implantologists looking to broaden their knowledge, this book is not for you. Nor is this suitable for absolute beginners in the field of implantology. I would, however, recommend this checklist for dentists who have some experience of implantology but are looking to build their confidence with surgical procedures.