The Cochrane Collaboration is an international organization that aims to help people make well‐informed decisions about healthcare by preparing, maintaining and promoting the accessibility of systematic reviews on the effects of healthcare interventions. The Cochrane Oral Health Group aims to produce systematic reviews which primarily include all randomized control trials (RCTs) of oral health, including prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of oral, dental and craniofacial diseases and disorders. The abstracts of these reviews can be accessd electronically at http://www.cochrane-oral.man.ac.uk. Full copies of the review papers can also be purchased via this website. TheAustralian Dental Journal publishes selected abstracts in each issue for our readers' interest. A detailed description of the activities of the Cochrane Oral Health Group, written by the Review Group Co‐ordinator, Dr Emma Tavender, was published in the June 2004 issue of the Journal (Aust Dent J 2004;49:58–59). Also, for explanations of abbreviations and terminology please see Appendix 1 on page 59 of the aforementioned article. EDITOR

To assess the effectiveness of occlusal adjustment (OA) for treating temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in adults and preventing TMD. The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE and EMBASE were comprehensively searched using the Cochrane methods. Reports and review articles were retrieved. Unpublished reports or abstracts were considered from the SIGLE database. All randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing OA with placebo, reassurance or no treatment in adults with TMD. The outcomes were global measures of symptoms, pain, headache and limitation of movement. Data collection and analysis followed the Cochrane Oral Health Group's statistical guidelines. Results showed no difference between OA and control group in symptom-based outcomes for treatment or incidence of symptoms for prevention. There is no evidence that OA treats or prevents TMD. OA cannot be recommended for the management or prevention of TMD. Future trials should use standardized diagnostic criteria and outcome measures when evaluating TMD.

There is an absence of evidence, from RCTs, that occlusal adjustment treats or prevents TMD. Occlusal adjustment cannot be recommended for the management or prevention of TMD. Future trials should use standardised diagnostic criteria and outcome measures when evaluating TMD.

The staff of this nursing home demonstrated positive knowledge of periodontal disease and denture care. However, their knowledge of dental caries revealed substantial room for improvement. This could signal an area for future staff training and development. Such efforts would help establish a team of caregivers who can improve the oral health and quality of life for residents in the nursing home.