E. Whaites, N. Drage. Churchill Livingstone price £21.99; pp 306 ISBN

9780702045981

The third edition of this popular text is written by Eric Whaites and Nicholas Drage, two of the leading UK authors on this subject matter. Eric Whaites is also very involved in the online BDA radiography course. This series, following on from the highly successful versions for clinicians, provides fellow dental care professionals with the knowledge they require to become competent and safe in radiography and radiology in an easy to understand format.

At 306 pages, the physics and principles of radiography and radiology are explained, leading on to the practice of taking and interpreting dental radiographs. They explain the importance of clinical imaging to clinicians and the role that the dental team plays in this process. The content and layout are very similar to the sister series, containing slightly less detail. The chapters flow seamlessly into each other, slowly building the reader's understanding. Each individual topic is covered in depth without being unnecessarily complex.

The sections on taking radiographs and interpreting are especially excellent, and will enable the dental care professional (DCP) to confidently evaluate their own radiographs and provide suggestions and opinions to colleagues.

The authors cover the subject matter thoroughly, with excellent pictorial adjuncts. The images and tables present the information clearly and concisely, and illustrate the points effectively, making learning simple.

This edition has been co-authored by Nicholas Drage, bringing a new perspective. It also includes a section on cone beam technology and an online self-assessment module to allow readers to assess their knowledge and prepare for examinations.

Given the vast range of topics covered, I feel this book is aimed more towards those wishing to undertake a radiology qualification rather than all members of the dental team, although it may prove a useful tool in explaining the purpose and safety aspects to dental nurses/students.

Overall Radiography and radiology for dental care professionals is a fantastic resource and I would highly recommend this book to any DCPs taking a radiology course and to dental students and general dental practitioners alike looking to refresh their knowledge or learn more about dental imaging.