Sir, I was interested to read the paper on minimal intervention dentistry by Ngo and Opsahl-Vital (BDJ 2014; 216: 561–565). The article states that glass ionomers were introduced to the dental profession in 1988. I believe it was much earlier. I still have my 'ticket book' given to all students at Guy's and in which all restorations and materials were recorded. In it I see that on 6.10.1977 as a third year student I did a restoration with ASPA – alumino silicate polyacrylic acid. I believe this was the first commercial GIC material, made by De Trey. On the ticket the demonstrator has noted that underneath it was my first pulp exposure. A cutting edge day for me in several respects.
1. Dunedin, New Zealand
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chandler, N. Minimal intervention dentistry: 1970s glass ionomers. Br Dent J 217, 206 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.763
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.763