The December issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association includes articles that look at the relationship between dental occlusion and periodontal disease; how increasing dental care training can benefit very young children; the sensible and correct usage of prophylactic antibiotics; and the effect of preflaring on working length determination.

Dental Occlusion and Periodontal Disease: What is the Real Relationship?
This article reviews the literature regarding the relationship between occlusion and periodontitis and presents recommendations for clinical practice based on available evidence.
Monish Bhola, DDS, MSD; Leyvee Cabanilla, DDS, MSD; and Shilpa Kolhatkar, DDS, MDS

Increasing Dental Care for Very Young Children: What Can Training Accomplish?
Child health professionals can play a significant role in reducing the burden of this disease if they have adequate training and support to do so. This paper focuses primarily on the results of training.
Barbara M. Aved, RN, PhD, MBA; Lawrence S. Meyers, PhD; and Elita Lin Burmas, MA

Use of Prophylactic Antibiotic Therapy in Oral Surgical Procedures: The Confusion and Controversy Continues — A Critical Review
This paper reviews current literature to guide dental practitioners and to encourage the prudent and appropriate use of prophylactic antibiotics in every clinical scenario, based on the understanding of well-established scientific principles.
Jaime Santiago Guerrero, DDS

Effect of Preflaring on Working Length Determination: An In Vivo Study
A study, which is presented in this paper, was conducted to evaluate the impression of the preflaring method on working length determination.
Arjang Fallahdoost, DDS; M. Sadegh Namazikhah, DMD, MSEd; Mahshid Sheikholeslaami, DDS; and Kambiz Tavakkoli, DDS

The Editor/
Endings and Beginnings
By Kerry K. Carney, DDS

Case Study/
Employee Embezzlement: Autonomy Provides Opportunity for an Office Manager to Take Advantage of Her Position

Impressions/

Dr. Bob/
Research: Something to Sink Your Teeth Into
By Robert E. Horseman, DDS

Continuing Education Courses/
CE Listings: January - June 2009