Dentine hypersensitivity is a relatively common problem experienced in clinical dental practice. This condition may disturb the patient during eating, drinking, brushing and sometimes even breathing. Therapeutic intervention by desensitising agents may provide only partial pain relief and recurrence is common. Much remains unknown about dentine hypersensitivity, even the terminology can be questioned. Most of the literature over decades has been concerned with reporting clinical trials proving the efficacy of numerous treatments for dentine hypersensitivity. Indeed, besides haemorrhoids, there can be few other diseases or conditions known to man that can apparently be successfully treated by so many and extremely varied agents and formulations applied topically. This paper will discuss the epidemiology, mechanisms of pain production and aetiological factors for the condition in the hope of developing ideas for more realistic prevention and management strategies.

This report emphasizes the importance of the differential diagnosis of severe immunodeficiency disorders in children and adolescents and mandates the importance of combined care by medical and dental practitioners to prevent tooth loss and control oral infection.

The proposed new method of plaque scoring seems to be simpler, clearer and more reproducible than the three comparative indices. However, clinical testing is warranted.

The NMPS was found to have less variability within and between examiners than TPI: evaluation of NMPS in a clinical setting would now appear warranted.

Palmoplantar keratodermas (PPK) include a heterogeneous group of disorders with overlapping clinical features. The main aspect of PPK is thickening and hyperkeratosis of the palmar and plantar skin, that may be hereditary or acquired; diffuse, focal, or punctuate; and transgrediens or progrediens. PPKs are further distinguished by their mode of inheritance and by the presence of certain associated clinical features. Periodontitis was reported in association with more than one syndrome characterized by PPK. An extensively reported one is the Papillon-Lefévre syndrome (PLS) which is characterized by early onset of PPK and periodontitis affecting the primary and secondary dentitions. In addition to PLS, Haim-Munk, HOPP, Variant Carvajal and Weary-Kindler are other syndromes manifested by PPK and reported in association with severe periodontitis. Atypical cases of PLS were also reported, such as partial expression or a late presentation of the syndrome. The aim of this article is to critically review the literature concerned with Papillon-Lefévre syndrome in its typical and atypical clinical presentation, in addition to other syndromes manifested at the same time by PPK and severe periodontitis.Thorough history and medical examination, together with periodontal, dermatologic, and genetic counseling, are important to exclude other existing medical conditions or other syndromes that might need special attention and care.