Chapter 12 key terms Dynamics of Health

American Dental Association (ADA)

A Professional organization that represents dentists and seeks to address the most important professional and public health issues.

Dental assistant

A professional who assists dentists by performing a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties.

Dental ceramist

A technic who makes porcelain and acrylic restorations.

Dental hygienist

A professional who cleans teeth, provides other preventive dental care, and teaches patients how to practice good oral hygiene.

Dental laboratory technician

A specialist who creates dental appliances according to dentist prescriptions.

Dental public health specialist

A dentist who promotes good dental health and disease prevention within the community.

Dentist

A trained practitioner who diagnoses and treats problems with teeth and tissues in the mouth, along with giving advice and administering care to help prevent future problems.

Endodontist

A dentist who performs root-canal surgery and therapy.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon

A dentist who provides on mouth, jaws, teeth, and gums, neck and head.

Oral pathologist

A dentist who diagnoses diseases of the mouth.

Orthodontist

The largest group of dental specialists, who work to strengthen teeth.

Pediatric dentist

A dentist whose work focuses on children and special-need patients.

Periodontist

Specializes in treating the gums.

Pit and fissure sealants

Sealants applied to the tooth to fill pits and fissure and provides a physical barrier on the tooth surface.

Prosthodontist

A dentist who replaces missing teeth with permanent fixtures such as crowns and bridges, or with removable fixtures such as dentures.