The laser has become an effective new tool in dentistry. Besides the positive effects for which it is applied, the laser is also capable of causing damage to the patient, the user and the bystanders. In this paper the different types of laser-specific hazards are explained. The concept of the nominal hazard distance is introduced and used to analyse the practical risks and suggest safety measures to be taken.

Laser use in the dental clinic requires scientifically demonstrated improvement for patient and/or dentist, easily obtainable equipment, adequate training and safety. These aspects are summarized for all laser applications. Improvement has not been shown for all applications. In the Netherlands manufacturer-independent training is little available. Safety requires care, but not a large investment. Economical aspects include an adequate compensation for the necessary investment. For only a few applications lasertreatment leads to decreased cost or time of treatment. However, also increased compensation by insurers or patients may be possible; some patients will be willing to pay more when lasertreatment is less unpleasant than traditional treatment or, in the case of diagnosis, leads to better information.

In the non-Caucasian population the skin and oral tissues show pigmentation to a variable degree, but much more than in Caucasian. When a person becomes edentulous, the tissues containing oral pigmentation disappear. The patient’s ethnic background gives no information to predict the characteristics of individual oral pigmentation; other sources have to be found. The mucosal pigmentation of 106 non-Caucasian, dentate people in Amsterdam and Los Angeles was investigated; a classification-chart of oral pigmentation with six types was designed. This tool makes it possible to help patient, dentist and dental technician to choose an accurate simulation of the contour of oral pigmentation in a denture. It is recommended to document the individual pigmentation before extractions are performed.

Oral surgery in hemophilia patients requires special arrangements in close collaboration with a hemotologist. Minor oral surgeries in not complicated cases can be done by a dentist or an oral surgeon with aid and assistence of a hemotologist. All major oral surgeries in hemophilia patients with antibodies counteracting coagulation agents should occur in a hemophilia treatment centre.

The Health Council of the Netherlands has issued a report on the recommended use of calcium, vitamin D and a number of other vitamins. The recommendations for calcium and vitamin D have been adjusted (upward) in view of recent evidence that these nutrients affect the occurrence of osteoporosis and bone fractures in all stages of life.

A nearly 13 years old boy was referred for orthodontic treatment of a Class I malocclusion. Both the central incisors and the left lateral incisor were involved in a trauma and prognosis for preservation was doubtful. X-ray examination revealed external root resorption on all three incisors and clinically they showed ankylosis. Treatment and considerations of choice of therapy are described.

Smallpox is back, at least in the press. Whether the disease will be again a scourge for us, is uncertain. But it is wise to stay well educated about this ´forgotten´ affliction. The symptoms, therapy and prevention, the eradication of smallpox and the dangers of keeping the virus in store, as well as its potentials to serve military or terrorist goals, are discussed.

A journal for the dental profession of which no printed version exists and solely is to be seen online is still an exception today. Such an exception is The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice (JCDP), the first issue of which was ´published´ in the autumn of 1999. Although the authors must submit their manuscripts to the editors in the conventional way, the accepted articles can only be ´read´ via the Internet afterwards. Because several multimedia techniques are also made use of and the possibilities of linking hypertext-pages on the World Wide Web, reading such a virtual journal is a special experience. But can such a modern, multimedia journal also convey substantial news and dental literature to the practicing dental professionals?