Reviewer: Harlan Shiau, DDS DMedSc(University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery)
Description: This is a comprehensive yet detailed view of oral pathogens in the context of caries and periodontal infections; specifically in describing the essential molecular principles governing the life-cycles of oral pathogens and their host-pathogen interrelationships.
Purpose: The book is designed to "illustrate how molecular biological techniques are being used to study the fundamental biology of some of the microorganisms thought to be involved in the two major dental diseases." The processes described in this book undergird the translational science which may lead to advances in diagnostics and therapy in the near future. This book meets its objectives, though more so for periodontal diseases.
Audience: The intended audience includes undergraduates, postgraduates, and researchers. The book appears to be appropriate for graduate students (postgraduates) in oral biology, and for academicians/researchers in similar fields as a reference.
Features: "The book first presents a review of essential molecular techniques used in molecular genetics. Then, it covers concepts of applied genomics, horizontal gene transfer, cell-cell communication, and host-pathogen relationships. Specific chapters are dedicated to selected pathogens, such as Porphymonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, etc. I especially like the abstracts for each chapter. Color would liven up the diagrams/illustrations."
Assessment: In short, this book provides a thorough treatment of the molecular oral microbiology of caries and periodontal disease. There are few books that would compare. The depth of information is greater than in more clinically oriented periodontics specialty book (such as Carranza's Clinical Periodontology, 10th edition, Newman et al. (Elsevier, 2006), or Clinical Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, 5th edition, Lindhe et al. (Blackwell Publishing, 2008). I recall reading some reviews in oral biology/periodontal research peer-reviewed journals that have a similar level of information.