High concentrations of organic solvents have adverse effects on the health of professional workers. In endodontics, halothane, chloroform and xylene are used to dissolve gutta-percha from root canals. It is therefore questioned whether the use of these solvents could affect the health of patients or of the dental team. It seems warranted to conclude that the amounts and concentrations of chloroform, xylene and halothane such as used in endodontic retreatment, are low and therefore are safe. However, the dentist should be aware of possible hypersensitivity induced by previous application of halothane as a narcotic.

Ectopic eruption of the maxillary first permanent molar is an eruption disturbance. This article discusses current literature views on diagnosis, prevalence, aetiology and treatment of this disturbance. It is a relatively uncommon disturbance and its aetiology remains unclear. A combination of extraction of the maxillary second primary molar and cervical headgear treatment seems the treatment of choice, although this treatment option is successful in only 70% of cases. More research has to be conducted to compare the effectiveness of treatment options.

Some patients experience pain after cementation of a cast restoration on a vital tooth. Limited data are available on the prevalence of this pain. In many cases the pain disappears within two weeks. The major cause of the pain might be attributed to more permeability of the dentine after preparation. Consequently, bacteria have free access towards the pulp. With respect to the cement, it is more likely that microleakage after cementation will be the cause of pulpal problems than toxicity of the cement. In order to prevent pain, the use of a desensitizer (a primer or a bonding) can be considered. However, use of a desensitizer in combination with some cements, can reduce the retention of a cast restoration. More important than the use of a desensitizer seem precautions during the procedures of preparing the restoration, like using sufficient cooling water and preventing a tooth from dehydration.

Twenty-five years ago the PhD-thesis ´Dentures happy ventures?´ of Kalk described the problems and reasons for (dis)satisfaction with complete dentures. In this article an overview is given of different PhD-theses in the Netherlands which have further elaborated and analyzed the problems of the compromised edentulous patient. More insight was gained in the aetiology and the background of edentulism and dissatisfaction with complete dentures. Nowadays, it is known which treatment strategies can retard bone loss and it is also known that pre-prosthetic surgery is less effective in resolving severe alveolar bone loss than expected. In the Netherlands, randomized clinical trials have shown that a mandibular overdenture retained by two or four implants is very effective in compromised edentulous patients.

A 27-year-old male patient was referred by his dentist to a department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, because of a radiolucent lesion in the mandibular angle. There were no clinical signs or symptoms. The orthopantomogram showed a sharp, demarcated, oval (1.5 x 2.5 cm), unilocular radiolucency caudal of the mandibular canal. Additional radiographic evaluation (CT scan, sialogram) revealed an oval depression in the lingual cortex of the mandible filled with salivary gland tissue. The diagnosis Stafne defect was made. At radiographic follow-up after 1 year, no progression of the lesion was seen. Treatment is not needed.

Much has already been said and written about dental health care. These days also much information is to be found on the Internet. The focus is justified because of the importance of dental health care. Modern dentistry is all about prevention. Dental health care starts with teaching children to care for their own teeth. This article presents a review of a website dedicated to dental health care for children.