* Helps understanding of the relevant illness as identified from the patient's history, physical examination and investigations; * Shows readers how to present a succinct and, when appropriate, unified list of all problems that could influence oral health care and formulate a diagnosis/treatment plan for each problem; * Emphasises the need to appreciate issues of access and informed consent, preventive oral health care and the avoidance of harm; * Enables the reader to develop strategies to identify patients at risk of medical problems, to assess the severity of those risks and, where necessary, to recognize the need for referral; * Places emphasis on good communication between all health-care professionals, and between HCPs and patients; * Emphasises the need to take into account people's cultural needs and preferences as well as deal with patients who may have additional needs such as physical, sensory or learning disabilities; * User-friendly format allows ease of access to information whether for exam revision purposes or for a specific issue confronting staff in a busy clinical environment. * Includes an array of new disorders ranging from hypersensitivity syndrome to neuropathic pain; * Discusses recent updates in pharmacology and other aspects of medical intervention, including the use of biological therapies; * Explores new areas such as cosmetic and other implants, dental materials hypersensitivity, drugs and dietary interactions and new aspects of alternative medicine; * Other issues include elder maltreatment, care of vulnerable people, treatment of sexual minorities, new substance abuse and self-harm; * Explores the link between periodontal infection and various systemic diseases; * New national and international guidelines, selected recent references and up-to-date websites.