Book Review
Sturdevant’s Art and Science of Operative Dentistry Editors: Harald O. Heymann, Edward J. Swift, Jr. Andre V. Ritter Adaptation Editor: V. Gopikrishna Edition: South Asian Edition Publisher: Elsevier ISBN: 978-81-312-3402-0 From 1968 onwards, Sturdevant’s Art & Science of Operative Dentistry has been the foundational textbook in the field of Operative Dentistry. The South Asian Edition of this classic is the latest update in the ever-expanding realms of dental literature. The textbook is adapted and co-edited by V.Gopikrishna, a renowned academician and a researcher with numerous publications to his credit in journals of repute. His passion and flair for teaching are very evident in his earlier projects titled “Pre-clinical Manual of Conservative Dentistry – 1st ed” and the much sought after textbook on Endodontics, “Grossman’s Endodontic Practice – 12th ed”. It is very thoughtful of Elsevier, to bring out a South Asian edition for the benefit of the students in our subcontinent as well other Asian countries. The South Asian edition of Sturdevant’s Operative Dentistry has 27 chapters adapted from the Sturdevant’s 6th International edition. The chapters have been methodically revised and adapted to conform to the prescribed curriculum of Universities in Asia. While the presentation, print, font, color plates, charts and tables are on par with the international edition, the spirit and essence of this edition is well adapted to the Asian academic community.
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Chapters those are available as online only topics in the 6th international edition have been included into the Asian edition of the textbook itself. This makes it a complete and single point study tool. A welcome addition of pertinent topics in the form of three new chapters namely: “Non-carious lesions and their management”, “Restoring contacts and contour”, and “Dentin hypersensitivity” make this a comprehensive yet concise textbook. Classifications have been newly incorporated for pertinent topics like Amalgam, matrixes, dentin bonding agents to name a few. “Clinical notes” boxes have been added which are the ‘key learning points’ in that section. This would help a student both in understanding the theoretical concepts better as well as guiding a student in its clinical application. Addition of flow charts that explain key mechanisms of action like demin-remin cycle, acid etching, dentin
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bonding etc. Key clinical procedures like amalgam, composites and inlay restorations have been presented in a “Step wise method” that makes it easier for a student to comprehend, remember and execute. The language and style of writing is lucid for easy reading and comprehension. Three chapters of academic interest for postgraduate students have been kept as online chapters for additional study. The contents of chapters are listed as sub headings with the page numbers for easy reference. A brief summary of each chapter is found in the end as a synopsis. This edition is being offered to students at a very affordable price.
In my opinion, this textbook will be an indispensable textbook for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Moreover, it could serve as a valuable adjunct to the private practitioners of conservative dentistry also. I am sure this book will be received well amongst the Asian dental student population. The golden rule of Pierre Cabanis (1757-1808) namely “Read little , See Much, Do Much” is very much applicable for the study of “Art and Science of Operative Dentistry”, where in the dentist should both have good cognition along with trained psychomotor skills.
A Parameswaran Former Principal, Government Dental College, Chennai, India Email:
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Website: www.jcd.org.in
How to cite this article: Parameswaran A. Sturdevant's Art and Science of Operative Dentistry. J Conserv Dent 2013;16:480.
Journal of Conservative Dentistry | Sep-Oct 2013 | Vol 16 | Issue 5
