This paper discusses three articles on cariology from the 1950’s in view of the current consensus of the pathogenesis, aetiology and prevention of dental caries. While 50 years ago the battle between researchers favouring the chemo-parasitary versus those in support of the proteolytic theory of caries was at its peak, bacteria and acids formed in plaque have since been generally accepted as the cause of dental caries. Attention has shifted to the inhibiting role of fluoride in the initiation and progression of tooth decay, and the possible additive action of antimicrobial therapy. As tooth decay is now a disease less common and progressing more slowly, there is scope for a more directed intervention and a preventive rather than a restorative therapeutic approach. In spite of the successes obtained a sizeable proportion of the population still suffers from dental caries and care should be taken not to diminish the attention for tooth decay, both in the general dental practice and in dental research.

Extensive research has been done regarding endodontic posts. In the majority of cases, only a few aspects are investigated. A literature review was performed regarding the various aspects that have to be considered when selecting a particular endodontic post for clinical application. The dentist has to realize that the ideal endodontic post (still) does not exist for all clinical situations. Most important is to achieve both a durable and a predictable result, sparing as much as possible of the root itself. Based on the literature, data presenting the requirements for an ‘ideal’ endodontic post are formulated.

Radiographic techniques can be used during the pre-, per- and postoperative stages of implant treatment. In the preoperative stage information is needed regarding the quantity and quality of the bone and the relevant anatomical structures of the jaw. Various radiographic techniques are available for this and all have their inherent merits and disadvantages. Occasionally there is a need of a peroperative radiograph i.e. a panoramic or periapical radiograph. In the postoperative stage radiographic techniques are used for the evaluation of bone and implants. In this stage there is a need for detailed and reproducible information regarding the cervical peri-implant bone level, the total height of the jaw and the radiographic density of the peri-implant bone. There is a limited number of radiographic techniques available in this stage.

Single-tooth implants have become a predictable treatment option. Immediate loading of the implants, following the implant insertion, has a number of advantages compared with the conventional loading protocol. A patient is demonstrated who lost a number of teeth due to idiopathic external resorption and who disliked the temporary treatment with a removable denture. The treatment has been described in which immediate loading of implants in the mandible was applied.

Influenza is not just a common cold. It is caused by a virus of the same name, prevails in the cold season and afflicts annually a considerable part of the population. The decrease of other infectious diseases is one of the reasons why the flu is nowadays considered as a not so innocent disease, responsible for an excess mortality of several hundreds of citizens per year in the Netherlands. There is a - annually revised - rather acceptable vaccine available that is still applied too little. The last years, virologists warn for the possibility that a mutant virus might create a pandemic comparable to the Spanish Flu of 1918.

The Oral Radiology Department of the School of Dentistry of California University (UCLA) offers the general practitioner the possibility of getting a differential diagnosis via a questionnaire online. In this case it concerns 130 radiographic lesions manifested in the maxilla and mandible. A computer software application, which is an example of an expert system for the dental practice, makes this possible. On this website one can also see many radiographs which show examples of numerous dental lesions. By means of interactive assignments the general practitioner can also practice in judging radiographs.