Where There Is No Doctor vs Where There Is No Dentist
Trying to decide between Where There Is No Doctor and Where There Is No Dentist? Here's how they compare, using only the edition details we've verified. "Not verified" means we couldn't confirm that detail, not that it's missing from the book.
Both are published by Hesperian Health Guides. Both are listed in our medical & first aid section. Both have free legal copies, so you can read them before deciding which to buy in print.
| Field |  Where There Is No Doctor |  Where There Is No Dentist |
|---|---|---|
| Author | David Werner, Carol Thuman, Jane Maxwell | Murray Dickson |
| Publisher | Hesperian Health Guides | Hesperian Health Guides |
| Edition | Second Edition, 21st revised printing (2025) | First Edition, 21st revised printing (2024) |
| Edition year | 2025 | 2024 |
| ISBN-13 | 9780942364156 | 9780942364057 |
| Pages | 448 | 236 |
| Skill level | Beginner | Beginner |
| Format | Not listed | Paperback |
| Free legal PDF | Yes: Free from the publisher (Hesperian HealthWiki; chapter PDFs at hesperian.org) | Yes: Free from the publisher (Hesperian HealthWiki, chapter PDFs) |
| Topics | Medical & first aid | Medical & first aid |
| Buy | Bookshop.orgAmazon | Bookshop.orgAmazon |
Who should get which
Get Where There Is No Doctor if…
- you want more depth (448 pages vs 236)
The classic village health-care handbook: plain language, hundreds of drawings, and a focus on what one person can do with few supplies. Hesperian posts it free, chapter by chapter, but a printed copy is the one that works in a blackout.
Get Where There Is No Dentist if…
- you want a shorter, quicker read (236 pages vs 448)
Covers tooth care, abscesses, and simple extractions for people far from a dentist. Dental pain is one of the most common problems in long emergencies, and few other books cover it.
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