Book excerpt: Dental caries (tooth decay) is one of the most highly prevalent diseases around the world affecting a significant proportion of the population. Dental caries may take place on any tooth surface in the oral cavity where dental plaque is allowed to develop over a period of time. Understanding its causes and progression allows the dental team to help the patient control and manage it so that patients can maintain healthy teeth for life. The fourth edition of Essentials of Dental Caries provides readers with an up-to-date, clinically relevant guide to dental caries. Written in an accessible style, the authors explain the biological and socioeconomic background of lesion development and progress. Current methods of clinical diagnosis and evidence based management are outlined in clearly laid out and highly illustrated chapters. This book is essential reading for students and practitioners of dentistry, dental therapy, dental hygiene, and oral health educators.