Week 1 dental definitions

  • Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association: develops and implements the accreditation standard that keeps a continuous quality and improvements with time of dental education programs

  • Periodontal: a serious gum infection that can destroy the jawbone as well 

  • Dental Assisting National Board (DANB): certifies dental assistants

  • HIPAA: law that protects patient health information

  • Professional: someone trained and skilled in a job with proper manners

  •  Dental Assistant:  person who helps dentists with patients and office work 

  • Dental Hygienist: licensed worker who cleans teeth and teaches oral health 

  • Dental Laboratory Technician: person who makes dental appliances like crowns and dentures 

  • Dentist: doctor who treats teeth and gums 

  • Endodontics: dental specialty focused on treating the inside of teeth (root canals) 

  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Surgery on the mouth, jaw, and face 

  • Orthodontics: specialty that straightens teeth using braces and aligners 

  • Pediatric Dentistry: Dental care for children 

  • Periodontics : The treatment of gum diseases 

  • Prosthodontics : The creation of artificial teeth and dental restorations 

  • Code of Ethics : Rules for proper behavior in a profession 

  • Ethics : The moral principles that guide decisions and actions, agreed upon those in the profession

  • Confidentiality : Keeping patient information private 

  • Board of Dentistry : The state agency that oversees dental professionals, certifies people

  • Direct Supervision : A dentist must be present for a procedure 

  • Expanded Functions : Extra tasks dental assistants can do with training 

  • General Supervision : A dentist allows a procedure but doesn’t need to be there 

  • Diagnosis : Identifying a disease or condition 

  • Acute Infection : A fast developing, severe infection 

  • Chronic : A condition that lasts a long time 

  • Anaphylaxis : A severe allergic reaction 

  • Blood Borne Disease : A disease spread through infected blood 

  • Blood Borne Pathogens : Germs in blood that cause diseases 

  • Droplet Infection : A disease spread through sneezing or coughing 

  • Infection : When germs enter the body and cause illness 

  • Contaminated Waste : Waste exposed to blood or germs 

  • Direct Contact : Infection spread through physical touch 

  • Hazardous Waste : Waste that is dangerous to health or the environment 

  • Indirect Contact : Infection spread through touching contaminated objects 

  • Contact : Coming into touch with something 

  • Infection Control : Steps taken to prevent the spread of disease 

  • Infectious Waste : Waste that can spread disease 

  • Latent Infection : An infection that stays in the body but is inactive 

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) : Items like gloves and masks that protect workers from germs 

  • Universal Precautions : Safety rules to protect against infections 

  • Standard Precautions : Basic hygiene and safety steps to prevent infection 

  • Bioburden : The number of germs on a surface before cleaning 

  • Disinfectant : chemical used to kill germs on surfaces 

  • Sterilization : Killing all germs on tools and equipment 

  • Single use Items : Disposable items used once and thrown away 

  • Fulcrum : A support point for fingers while using dental tools 

  • Noncritical Instruments : Tools that touch only skin and not the mouth 

  • Biologic Monitoring : test to make sure sterilization works 

  • Semi Critical Instruments : Tools that touch the mouth but don’t go inside the body 

  • Caries : Tooth decay or cavities 

  • Contaminated Area : place where dirty tools are handled 

  • CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) : health organization that helps prevent diseases 

  • Critical Instruments : Tools that go inside the body, like needles 

  • OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) : group that makes workplace safety rules 

  • Anatomical Crown : The part of the tooth covered by enamel 

  • Apex : The tip of the root of a tooth 

  • Clinical Crown : The visible part of the tooth above the gums 

  • Dental Papilla : The soft tissue that helps form teeth 

  • Dentin : The layer under the enamel that makes up most of the tooth 

  • Enamel : The hard outer layer of a tooth 

  • Alveolar Process : The bone that holds the teeth in place 

  • Buccal Surface : The part of the tooth facing the cheek 

  • TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) : The joint that connects the jaw to the skull 

  • Gingiva : Another word for gums 

  • Anterior : The front teeth 

  • Cervical Third : The lower third of a tooth near the gum line 

  • Curve of Spee : The natural curve of the teeth from front to back 

  • Curve of Wilson : The curve of teeth from one side to the other 

  • Deciduous : Baby teeth that eventually fall out 

  • Dentition : All the teeth in a person’s mouth 

  • Distal Surface : The backside of a tooth 

  • Facial Surface : The front part of a tooth facing the lips or cheeks 

  • Interproximal Space : The space between two teeth 

  • Lingual Surface : The side of the tooth facing the tongue 

  • Mandibular : Related to the lower jaw 

  • Masticatory : Related to chewing 

  • Maxillary : Related to the upper jaw 

  • Mesial Surface : The side of a tooth closest to the middle of the mouth 

  • Mixed Dentition : A mix of baby and adult teeth 

  • Occlusal Surface : The biting surface of back teeth 

  • Permanent Dentition : Adult teeth that replace baby teeth 

  • Posterior : The back teeth 

  • Primary Dentition : Another term for baby teeth 

  • Quadrant : One of the four sections of the mouth 

  • Sextant : One of six sections of the mouth 

  • Demineralization : Loss of minerals from teeth, which can lead to decay 

  • Fluoride : A mineral that strengthens teeth and prevents cavities 

  • Plaque : sticky layer of bacteria on teeth 

  • Calculus (Tartar) : Hardened plaque that needs to be removed by a dentist 

  • Gingivitis : Gum inflammation that can lead to gum disease 

  • Periodontitis : A serious gum infection that damages the bone around teeth 

  • Dental Sealant : A protective coating on teeth to prevent cavities 

  • Preventative Dentistry : Care like brushing and flossing to avoid dental problems 

  • Topical Fluoride : Fluoride applied directly to teeth for protection 

  • Abscess : A pocket of pus caused by infection 

  • Inflammation : Swelling and redness due to injury or infection 

  • Lesion : A sore or damaged area in the mouth 

  • Periodontal : Related to the gums and structures around teeth 

  • Probing : Checking gum health with a special tool 

  • Restoration : Fixing a tooth with a filling, crown, or other treatment 

  • Bur : A small drill used to shape teeth 

  • Dental Handpiece : Another word for a dentist’s drill 

  • Ultrasonic Handpiece : A tool that uses vibrations to clean teeth 

  • Anesthesia : Medicine that numbs pain 

  • Anesthetic : drug used to numb pain