The book is divided into three sections. The first describes the general pharmacological principles with which all professionals involved in drug therapy must be conversant. The second on systemic pharmacology presents a brief account of drugs acting on various organ systems and used in the treatment of common disorders affecting these systems. Each chapter is organised systematically. The opening sentence defines the class of drugs, followed by their classification presented in chart form for better pictorial impression and easy remembrance. The ‘prototype’ approach is followed by describing the representative drug of the class. Matters particularly relevant to dental therapeutics have been highlighted by italicizing. Wherever applicable, the implications in dentistry are prominently elaborated, e.g. drugs and diseases affecting postextraction haemostasis, dental procedures in patients on corticosteroid therapy or in diabetics, oral complications of cancer chemotherapy, conscious sedation in dentistry, etc.

The third section covers antimicrobials and other drugs which the dentists prescribe or administer themselves. However, the allocation of topics in sections two and three does not indicate water-tight distinction, which is impossible, but has been done with a view to focus attention on drugs that have greater relevance in dentistry. To mention a few, the application of analgesics and NSAIDs in dental pain, dental anaesthesia, role of each class of antimicrobials in orodental infections, prophylaxis of postextraction wound infection and endocarditis in patients at special risk are emphasized. Since dentists are constantly exposed to the risk of accidental HIV infection by sharp injury while performing dental procedures, guidelines for prophylaxis of HIV infection are provided. Drugs and aids having specific application in dental disorders and in dental care, e.g. drugs for dental plaque, caries tooth, dentine sensitivity alongwith aids like dentifrices, bleaching agents, disclosing agents, etc. are described in a separate chapter, pointing out their role in current practice. Management of medical emergencies, like fainting, hypoglycaemia, allergic/anaphylactic reaction, angina pectoris or myocardial infarction, asthmatic attack or seizures that may occur in a dental office are outlined in a new chapter, along with a list of medicines that should be kept in the emergency tray. The last chapter on drug interactions highlights those that may be encountered in dental practice. Care has been taken that the syllabus prescribed by the Dental Council of India is fully covered.

6All chapters in the present edition have been thoroughly updated to include latest information and new drugs, while nonrelevant material has been deleted. Presentation and illustrations have been improved. Leading trade names and dosage forms of drugs generally prescribed by dentists are mentioned distinctively. Thus, the book is oriented to provide core and contemporary pharmacological knowledge which can be easily assimilated by dental students, as well as serve to help dental practitioners in treating oro-dental conditions.

I am thankful to my colleagues in pharmacology and dentistry as well as to readers of the earlier editions for their comments and suggestions which helped in preparing the 3rd edition. The motivational influence of Shri J.P. Vij (Group Chairman), M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers, was crucial. The meticulous preparation of the manuscript and illustrations by Ms Geeta Srivastava, Mr Rakesh Kumar and the staff of M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers is highly appreciated. The participation and cooperation of my wife is sincerely acknowledged.