Dental Terminology: Chapter 5

disease

pathological condition of the body, abnormal condition

symptoms

perceptible change in the body or body function

objective symptoms

(signs) evidence observed by someone other than the patient

edema

swelling

subjective symptoms

evidence of a disease as reported by the patient

odontalgia

toothache

syndrome

assortment of signs and symptoms grouped together that characterize a disease

pathology

study of disease

etiology

cause of the disease

diagnosis

denoting name of disease

prognosis

prediction about the course of the disease

acute

describes immediate symptoms such as high fever and pain or distress

chronic

describes a condition present over a long time, often without an endpoint, such as chronic fatigue and anemia

remission

temporary or permanent cessation of a severe condition, such as a case of sinusitis or some stage of cancer

epidemic

a condition prevalent over a wide population, such as many cases of flu or typhoid in an area

pandemic

a disease that is more widespread than an epidemic; occurring over a large geographical area and populace, sometimes worldwide

endemic

diseases occurring continuously in the same population or locality

exogenous

refers to causes outside the body, such as illness arising from trauma, radiation, hypothermia, and so on

endogenous

refers to causes arising from within the body, such as infections, tumors, and congenital or metabolic abnormalties

degenerative

refers to conditions resulting from natural aging of the body, such as arthritis

opportunistic

refers to disease or infection occurring when body resistance is lowered, such as with fungal, bacterial, and viral infections

nosocomial

refers to diseases passed on from patient to patient in a health-care setting, such as staphylococcal bacterial infections, MRSA, and others

pathogenic

disease producing

bacteria/bacterium

one-celled, plant-like microorganisms lacking chlorophyll; 3 principal forms- oval/rounded, rod-shaped and spiral

aerobic

designates bacteria that require oxygen to live

facultative aerobes

bacteria that can live in the presence of oxygen but do not require it

anaerobic

bacteria that do not need oxygen for survival

facultative anaerobes

bacteria that grow best without oxygen but can survive in its presence

obligate or strict anaerobes

bacteria that cannot live in the presence of oxygen

flagella

small, whip-like hairs that provide movement for some bacteria

spore

thick-walled reproductive cell

endospore

some bacteria and tetanus, possess a capsule layer of slime, and a few rod-shaped bacteria develop an endospore for a resting stage when unfavorable conditions exist

viruses

tiny parasitic organisms that cause diseases such as polio, hepatitis, smallpox,colds, HIV, herpes, and influenza, among many others; they require living matter to reproduce and grow

rickettsia

microbes smaller than bacteria but larger than viruses

vectors

carriers that transmit disease, such as fleas, lice, and ticks

fungi/fungus

division of plants that include mold, yeasts, and slimes; some are beneficial and some are pathogenic(athlete's foot and ringworm)

filamentous

molds

unicellular

yeasts

protozoa

(small animal parasites or organisms) must live upon another organism called the host; can cause malaria

saprophytes

organisms living on decaying or dead organic matter such as lockjaw

nematodes

small parasitic worms such as threadworms and roundworms

commensal

microbes that live together on a host without harming it, such as mouth flora

blood-borne pathogens

disease-producing microbes that are present in human blood

droplet infection

airborne infection in which pathogens discharged from the mouth or nose by coughing or sneezing are carried through the air and settle on objects

indirect infection

infection resulting from improper handling of materials, contamination of articles or fomes

fomes

inanimate substances that absorb and transmit infection, such as doorknobs or bedding

direct contact infection

infection that is passed directly through intimate relationship- contact with saliva, blood, or mucous membranes

parenteral entry

refers to piercing of the skin or mucous membrane, also called "needle stick"

carrier infection

exchange of disease by direct or indirect contact with an infected human or animal

vector-borne infection

an infection that is transmitted by an organism such as a fly or mosquito

food, soil, or water infection

infection passed along by microbes present in these media

immunity

resistance to organisms due to previous exposure

virulence

power of the disease

natural immunity

inherited and permanent

natural acquired immunity

obtained when a person is infected by a disease, produces antibodies, and then recovers from that disease

artificial acquired immunity

obtained from inoculation or vaccination against a disease

passive acquired immunity

results from receiving antibodies from another source, such as breast milk, or from injections of gamma globulin, antitoxins, or immune serums

passive natural immunity

passes from mother to fetus, congenitally or through antibodies in breast milk

immunocompromised

having a weakened immune system, resulting from drugs, irradiation, disease such as AIDS, or malnutrition

inoculation

injection of microorganisms, serum, or toxin into the body

vaccination

inoculation with weakened or dead microbes

antigen

substance that induces the body to form antibodies

antibody

protein substance produced by the body in response to an antigen

vaccine

solution of killed or weakened infectious agents injected to produce immunity

autogenous vaccine

vaccine produced from a culture of bacteria taken from the patient who will receive the vaccine

attenuated

diluted or reduced virulence of pathogenic microbes

asepsis

free form germs

sanitation

application of methods to promote a favorable germ-free state

disinfection

application of chemicals to kill, reduce, or eliminate germs

sterilization

the process of destroying all microorganisms

universal precautions

assuming all patients are infectious and applying every method of combating disease and infection

CDC

centers for disease control and prevention

critical

instruments used to penetrate soft tissue or bone, or enter into the bloodstream; for example forceps, scalpels, scalers, chisels, and surgical burs

semi-critical

instruments that do not penetrate soft tissues or bone but contact the mucous membrane or non-intact skin

noncritical

instruments that come into contact with intact skin, such as blood pressure cuffs, X ray heads and so on

autoclave

apparatus for sterilization by steam pressure

-temp is 121 C or 250 F

-pressure is 15 psi

-20 minutes

liquids with lids ajar and linen-wrapped packs require longer exposure; liquids need cooling down and depressurizing periods before removal from units

"flash" autoclave

smaller autoclave with higher temp setting (132 C or 270 F) will lessen exposure time (3 to 5 minutes) required to obtain sterilization

dry heat sterilization

oven apparatus used for a hot air bake at high temp (170 C or 340 F) for a longer period of time (2hours); this method is not useful for plastic materials or some paper objects

molten metal or glass bead heat

devices holding superheated (234 C or 450 F) molten metal or glass beads; used mainly in endodontic practice

chemical vapor sterilization

use of chemicals and heat of 132 C or 270 F unit for 20 min; noncorrosive method that is used on loose or unwrapped articles, particularly metals

ethylene oxide

sterilizing unit used at room temp and requires prolonged exposure and devaporization time (10-12 hours); heated units (49 C or 120 F) require less time(2-3 hours); useful for plastics and materials that do not tolerate heat

VPH (vaporized hydrogen peroxide)

gas plasma sterilization using hydrogen peroxide that is ionized to release vaporized gas molecules capable of killing microorganisms and endospores in a short period (less than 1 hour) with no vapor clear-off time concerns; compatible with most materials except liquids, powders, and absorbents

chemical agents

liquids containing chemicals that kill microbes and spores and require longer immersion time; some chemicals may be disinfectants and/or sterilizers

indicator strips or commercial spore vials

placed in or on wrapped items during the sterilization cycle to indicate the effectiveness of the sterilizing process

biological

monitoring of sterilization cycle by office spore strips, culture tubes, and vials with encased germs spore indicators that are routinely sent out for laboratory testing to assure that the sterilization process has been achieved

process

tapes or marked autoclave sleeves indicate that heat conditions have been obtained but do not guarantee that pressure and time have completed the sterilization; markings on the autoclave bag or sleeve tape change color when exposed to the proper sterilizing conditions; the wrapping or sleeving of the articles provides protection from contamination in handling after sterilization

cassette trays

used to contain instrument setups that travel from operatory use to the ultrasonic cleaning, rinsing, and wrapping for sterilizing and storage until the next use; are marked and dated and can be color-coded to signify which operatory, procedure, operator, or any designation desired for organization

disinfection

application of chemicals to kill, reduce, or eliminate germs through soaking, spraying, foams, sponges, or wipes

disinfectant

chemical or agent that kills many microbes; choice of type, concentration, and use is necessary for each item

antiseptic

usually a diluted disinfectant that prevents the growth or inhibits the development of microbes

bacteriostatic

inhibiting or retarding bacterial growth

holding solution

disinfectant solution with biodegradable(chemical or metabolic material that breaks down protein material) ingredient that is used to soak instruments until they are properly cleaned and sterilized

ultrasonic cleaner

mechanical apparatus with a reservoir to contain a solution that cavitates (implodes=bursts inwardly) or bubbles off debris; this machine cleanses items prior to sterilization

PPE

(personal protective equipment) such as gloves, eyeglasses, clinical attire, face shields, and masks to protect the area and the wearer from disease microbes

barrier techniques

drapes, covers, plastic instrument sleeves, X ray film covers, and the like, which are used to prevent contamination and help to protect the patients

SOP

(standard operating procedures) for sanitation of operators and patients, including the training and the use of proper handling and storage of dental equipment and supplies, hand washing and transfer methods, use of evacuation methods, rubber dams, and preoperative rinse of oral cavity with mouthwash; also called universal procedures

standard precautions

treating each case as if the patient has a serious disease, handling and sterilizing with each new use to prevent contamination; called maintaining a sterile field

proper disposal techniques

disposing of all contaminated items in a marked biohazard bag; laundry and other materials used in patient care should be considered contaminated by splatter or aerosol matter

sharps disposal unit

container used for collection and disposal of needles, broken glass, and sharp items

biohazard container

labeled container for items contaminated with body fluids or life-threatening contaminates