This book presents the science of microbiology in a clinical context that is relevant to the safe and effective practice of dental surgery. Microbiology is a rapidly moving discipline. Since the First Edition, a number of infectious diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and SARS have emerged as significant clinical problems. There have also been changes in the epidemiology of certain infections, for example sexually transmitted diseases. These issues are all covered in this new edition. The book has been updated throughout, and changes to antimicrobial drug prescribing regimens have been included. Major new chapters include those on fungi, human herpes viruses, infections of the central nervous system, and use of antimicrobial agents in dentistry. The chapters dealing with sterilisation, disinfection and infection control procedures in dentistry have been completely re-written, to reflect recent significant changes in decontamination protocols which have been stimulated by the problem of prion diseases.This book will serve as a core reference text for use throughout all years of the undergraduate dental curriculum, as a refresher course for postgraduate students, and as a continuing source of reference for dentists in clinical practice.