Summary. The quality of root canal fillings in 172 single‐rooted extracted human teeth as it appeared on the buccal radiograph was assessed and compared with first that on a proximal radiograph, second the amount of linear dye penetration, and third the quality of adaptation and compaction of gutta‐percha observed in transverse root sections. The results justify the conclusion that the clinical radiograph has a limited correlation with first the quality of the root filling ascertained from a proximal radiograph, second dye penetration, and third the stereomicroscopic evaluation of filling adaptation and compaction in transverse root canals that are oval or ribbon‐shaped in transverse section are considered.

This report provides general guidelines for the structure of a curriculum, followed by specific advice on the principles of learning and teaching, the process of restructuring and change leadership and management. It provides examples of several educational philosophies, including vertical and horizontal integration. It discusses the use of competence, learning outcomes, level of degree and assessment and provides a number of recommendations. It does not seek to be prescriptive of time allocation to disciplines within a curriculum. Although this report has been written primarily for those who will develop an undergraduate curriculum, the information may be sufficiently generic to apply to the recent development in graduate entry (‘shortened dental’ or ‘accelerated’) courses and to postgraduate degree planning and higher education certificate or diploma courses for other dental care professionals (auxiliaries). The report may have a European bias as progress is made to converge and enhance educational standards in 29 countries with different educational approaches – a microcosm of global collaboration.

It is assumed that above a critical level, microleakage causes periapical disease and jeopardizes periapical tissue repair. The purpose of this investigation was first to find out to what degree obturation prevents leakage of bacteria-sized particles or large protein molecules, and second if leakage of the commonly used dye methylene blue is comparable with that of a small bacterial metabolic product of similar molecular size. Sections, 9 mm long, obtained from 46 extracted human incisor roots had their root canals prepared in a standardized manner and obturated in four experimental ways using gutta-percha. The root sections were mounted in the middle of tubes that were closed at both ends with rubber membrane stoppers, which permitted sampling from the apical reservoir. The coronal reservoir was filled with a solution of 1 mg/ml latex beads, 4 micrograms/ml endotoxin, 0.5 per cent butyric acid, 0.1 per cent valeric acid and 0.1 per cent methylene blue water. After 1 and 2 weeks, samples were taken from the apical reservoir and tested for the presence of latex beads by phase-contrast microscopy, for endotoxin with a limulus lysate test, for butyric acid with gas-chromatography and for methylene blue with spectrophotometric analysis. Leakage of bacteria-sized particles and large-sized protein molecules could be prevented only when both sealer and pressure were used in obturating root canals with gutta-percha. Leakage of butyric acid proved to be comparable with leakage of methylene blue; microleakage of these small molecules could not be prevented in this study whatever method of filling was used.

Introduction: By maintaining skills and keeping dentists up-to-date, continuing professional development (CPD) supports safe clinical practice. However, CPD for dentists across Europe is not harmonised.

Burnout appears no threat for the average newly qualified dentist. However, some individuals report alarmingly high burnout scores at an early professional stage. Practice management is the professional aspect about which young professionals worry most. It is recommended that dental schools pay attention to practice management skills and the stressfulness of work in the curriculum. Also, longitudinal monitoring of dental students and newly qualified dentists on burnout development is strongly advocated.