I am writing about the article "Rationale and Treatment Approach in Minimally Invasive Dentistry" by Dr. Joel M. White and Dr. W. Stephan Eakle in the June JADA Special Supplement. The work discusses conservation of tooth structure in modern adhesive restorative dentistry. Resin-bonded sealants are mentioned, along with "preventive resin restorations."
A reader of that article, unfamiliar with the history of restorative dentistry, would be led to believe that the concepts cited are contemporary and original ideas of the authors.
Although the authors cite Osborne JW and Summitt JB (Extension for prevention: is it relevant today?
Am J Dent 1998:11[4]:189–96[Medline]
), and several articles from the 1970s and 1980s regarding microorganisms retained under bonded resin sealants, no reference is made to the origins of using the acid etch technique and bonded resins for "minimally invasive dentistry."
The subject matter actually had its roots in the 1970s, when minimally invasive dentistry was first conceived and described by Dr. Richard Simonsen. "Preventive resin restoration" was the name that Dr. Simonsen coined for the minimally invasive, ultraconservative, acid-etched retained, resin-based composite Class I restoration.
In the interest of setting the record straight and giving credit where credit is due, I offer JADA readers the following references. Although this list is not complete, these works are representative of publications that set the stage for "minimally invasive" adhesive dentistry:
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Simonsen RJ, Stallard RE. Sealant-restorations utilizing a diluted filled composite resin: one year results. Quintessence Int 1977;8(6):77–84
.
- – Simonsen RJ. Clinical applications of the acid etch technique. Chicago: Quintessence; 1978.
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Simonsen RJ. Preventive resin restorations (I). Quintessence Int 1978;9(1):69–76
.
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Simonsen RJ. Preventive resin restorations (II). Quintessence Int 1978;9(2):95–102
.
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Simonsen RJ. Preventive resin restorations: three-year results. JADA 1980;100(4):535–9
.
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Simonsen RJ, Landy NA. Preventive resin restorations: fracture resistance and 7-year clinical results (abstract 39). J Dent Res 1984;63(special issue):175
.
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Simonsen RJ. Conservation of tooth structure in restorative dentistry. Quintessence Int 1985;16(1):15–24[Medline]
.
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Simonsen RJ. The preventive resin restoration: A minimally invasive, nonmetallic restoration. Compend Contin Educ Dent 1987;8(6):428–30,432
.
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Simonsen RJ. Retention and effectiveness of dental sealant after 15 years. JADA 1991; 122(10):34–42
.
Dr. Simonsen’s pioneering work and advocacy for conservative and preventive restorative dentistry made a big difference for many thousands of dentists and millions of patients, especially children, over the last one-third of the 20th century. That contribution is remarkable and worthy of recognition whenever appropriate.
Dental and medical authors owe it to their readers, their professions and the keepers of the archives to perfect their lists of attribution, so as to accurately portray their subject matter and give credit to those who have written before.
In addition, in the interest of truth, intellectual order and courtesy, reviewers of dental articles need to ensure that reference sources are relevant and complete.
