The Oral Report: The Consumer's Common-Sense Guide to Better Dental Care

This articulate, authoritative sourcebook encourages lay readers to become alert consumers of dental health care. The first of three sections discusses the patient and general dentistry: how to choose a dentist (cheap vs. inexpensive), tooth structure, brushing, flossing, fillings, X-rays, anesthetics and treatment during pregnancy. The second section deals with specialties and specific diseases and problems: endodontics (root-canal therapy), oral cancer, oral surgery, orthodontics, pedodontics or pediatric dentisty, gum disease, crowns, bridges, dentures, bonding and bleaching. The last section addresses various trends, fears and issues in dentistry: fluoride, malpractice, advertising, insurance, dental phobias, tooth-grinding and the TMJ syndrome, and dental fees based on national, regional and local surveys. Appendixes list dental schools and professional societies, and provide a glossary of terms. Jerry Taintor is a practicing dentist and chairman of endodontics at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. His wife, Mary Jane, manages a workshop program for professional seminars. Illustrations not seen by PW. (February 25)