public static function table_exists($table, $db = null)
	{
		try
		{
			\DB::select()->from($table)->limit(1)->execute($db ? $db : static::$connection);
			return true;
		}
		catch (\Database_Exception $e)
		{
			// check if we have a DB connection at all
			$connection = \Database_Connection::instance($db ? $db : static::$connection)->has_connection();

			// if no connection could be made, re throw the exception
			if ( ! $connection)
			{
				throw $e;
			}

			return false;
		}
	}