Dental Assisting Midterm Review

This set of flashcards encompasses essential terms and concepts from the dental assisting field, aiding students in their review for the midterm examination.

Dental Assisting

A profession focused on supporting dentists in clinical procedures and patient care.

Pierre Fauchard

Known as the Father of Modern Dentistry, he established dentistry as an independent profession.

Forensic Dentistry

The use of dental records to identify human remains.

G.V. Black

Referred to as the Grand Old Man of Dentistry; known for developing the principles of cavity preparation.

Lucy B. Hobbs-Taylor

First female dental graduate in the United States who broke gender barriers in dentistry.

Dr. C. Edmund Kells

The first dentist to employ a female dental assistant in 1885.

Professionally Appearance

Essential traits including good health, grooming, and appropriate dress for dental assistants.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, protecting patient health information.

ADAA

American Dental Assistants Association, founded in 1924 to advance dental assisting through education.

CDA

Certified Dental Assistant credential issued by the Dental Assisting National Board.

Teamwork

Collaboration among dental office members to achieve common goals.

Autonomy

The principle of allowing patients to make informed decisions about their care.

Nonmaleficence

The ethical principle of doing no harm to patients.

Beneficence

Actively promoting good or welfare to people.

Justice

Fair and equitable access to dental care.

Veracity

The ethical principle of truth-telling in healthcare.

Continuing Education

The requirement for dental assistants to maintain and improve professional knowledge.

Ethical Dilemma

A situation where two or more ethical principles conflict.

Anatomical Plane

Imaginary lines that divide the body for reference in anatomy.

Midsagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Epithelial Tissue

Cell layers that cover body surfaces and line cavities.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that provides support, binding other tissues together.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue specialized for contraction and movement in the body.

Nerve Tissue

Tissue that transmits electrical signals for communication within the body.

Axial Skeleton

Part of the skeleton that includes the skull and vertebral column.

Appendicular Skeleton

The part of the skeleton that includes the limbs and girdles.

Hemoglobin

Protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that fight infection and disease.

CNS

Central Nervous System, consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

PNS

Peripheral Nervous System, consisting of nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Peristalsis

Involuntary muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by the endocrine system regulating bodily functions.

Integumentary System

The body system that includes skin, hair, and nails, providing protection.

Prenatal Development

The period of development from fertilization until birth.

Odontogenesis

The process of tooth development.

Enamel

The hard outer layer of a tooth, made primarily of hydroxyapatite.

Dentin

The main structure of the tooth, softer than enamel but harder than bone.

Masticatory Mucosa

Keratinized tissue that covers the gingiva and hard palate.

Developmental Layers

Three layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) formed during embryo development.

Venous Blood Components

Red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma make up blood circulation.

Clinical Crown

The portion of the tooth visible above the gum line.

Gingival Recession

The recession of gum tissue, exposing more of the tooth surfaces.

Dental Laboratory Technician

A professional responsible for creating dental prosthetics based on dentist prescriptions.

Salivary Glands

Glands in the mouth that produce saliva, aiding in digestion and oral health.

Endodontics

The dental specialty focused on treating the pulp and tissues surrounding the root of a tooth.

Periodontics

The dental specialty that deals with the supporting structures of teeth.

Orthodontics

The branch of dentistry that corrects irregularities of the teeth and jaw.

Restorative Dentistry

The area of dentistry focused on restoring teeth to their original function and appearance.

Patient Consent

Permission obtained from a patient before conducting any treatment.

Radiology

The use of imaging technologies, such as X-rays, to assess dental health.

Complications of Dental Procedures

Potential adverse outcomes that can occur during or after a dental treatment.

Patient Records

Confidential documents that maintain a patient's medical and treatment history.

Oral Hygiene

Practices that maintain the cleanliness of the mouth and teeth.

Infection Control

Procedures implemented to prevent the spread of infections in dental settings.

Patient Assessment

The process of examining and evaluating a patient’s dental health.

Cavity Preparation

The procedure of removing decay from a tooth and preparing it for a filling.

Dental Ethics

The moral principles guiding dental professionals in their practice.

Professional Liability

Legal obligation of dentists and dental assistants to ensure patient safety and well-being.

Technological Advances in Dentistry

Innovations that improve dental care and treatment outcomes.