Instructor Manual: Singhal, DeFiore, Alvarez, Phinney, Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, 7th Edition, ©
2026 Cengage, ISBN, Chapter 1: Introduction To The Dental Profession
Instructor Manual
SINGHAL, DEFIORE, ALVAREZ, KANTZ, PHINNEY, HALSTEAD, DENTAL ASSISTING: A
COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH, 7E, 2026, 9798214113852; C HAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE
DENTAL PROFESSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter.............................................................................2
Chapter Objectives.................................................................................................................2
Key Terms...............................................................................................................................2
What's New in This Chapter..................................................................................................6
Chapter Outline......................................................................................................................6
Additional Discussion Questions..........................................................................................7
Additional Resources.............................................................................................................8
Internet Resources.......................................................................................................................8
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part . 1
, Instructor Manual: Singhal, DeFiore, Alvarez, Phinney, Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, 7th Edition, ©
2026 Cengage, ISBN, Chapter 1: Introduction To The Dental Profession
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to give students an introduction to the history of the
dental profession and the impact of dental disease. The chapter provides a timeline
of the major developments in dentistry and discusses individuals who had a profound
influence on the evolution of the dental profession.
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1. Define terms presented in this chapter.
2. Identify the major milestones in dental history from ancient times to present
day.
3. Name the individuals who had a great impact on the profession of dentistry.
4. Describe advances in dentistry in the areas of equipment, procedures, infection
control and prevention, medicines, imaging, techniques, and restorative
options.
5. Identify the people who promoted education and organized dentistry.
6. State the twelve specialties of dentistry.
7. Describe career skills of the direct and indirect care dental team members.
8. List the education required for each dental career path.
9. List the professional organizations that represent each dental career path.
10. Explain the importance of being cross-trained.
11. Identify career opportunities for a dental assistant.
KEY TERMS
amalgam: Mixture of metals such as silver and mercury into a soft mass to repair a
decayed tooth; used as a filling
analgesic: Agent that relieves or removes pain
biofilm: Sticky mass that contains mucus and bacteria and grows in colonies on the
teeth; also referred to as dental plaque
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard: Resources and regulations developed to help
prevent health care workers from contracting infectious diseases
bridge: Replacement of a missing tooth by placing an artificial tooth in its place that
is attached to the teeth on either side of the space
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part . 2
, Instructor Manual: Singhal, DeFiore, Alvarez, Phinney, Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, 7th Edition, ©
2026 Cengage, ISBN, Chapter 1: Introduction To The Dental Profession
calculus (tartar): Hard yellowish deposit on the teeth, consisting of organic
secretions and food particles deposited in various salts, such as calcium carbonate;
also called dental calculus
cavity preparation: Hollow space in a tooth produced to support a dental restoration
composite resin: Also referred to as tooth-colored filling; made from mixes of resins
and fillers to give the filling strength and translucency for better color match and
esthetics
confidentiality: Strict privacy or secrecy; limited to persons authorized to use
information
cross-training: Training that covers several tasks within a department or office;
proficient at different yet related skills
dental dam: Rubber sheet used to keep saliva from the teeth during dental
procedures
dental sealant: Transparent synthetic resin applied to the chewing surfaces of molars
and premolars, usually in children as a preventive measure against tooth decay in the
occlusal pits and fissures
denture: Replacement of one or more missing teeth; appliance is removable and sits
on the gingival tissue covering the jawbone; laymen’s term is dental plate or false
teeth
diagnose: To recognize (as a disease) by signs and symptoms; to diagnose a disease
or condition
endodontics: Study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the dental pulp; root
canal therapy; person practicing is an endodontist
epidemiology: Study of the distribution determinants of health-related states or
events in specified populations and the application of this study to the control of
health problems
esthetic: Relating to the consideration of beauty
etching: Used to make microscopic pores for better retention of the restoration by
eating away the surface of enamel with acids
extraction: Removal of a tooth from its socket of bone
extraoral: Situated or occurring outside the mouth
forensics: Relating to or dealing with the application of scientific knowledge to legal
problems
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part . 3
, Instructor Manual: Singhal, DeFiore, Alvarez, Phinney, Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, 7th Edition, ©
2026 Cengage, ISBN, Chapter 1: Introduction To The Dental Profession
gingiva: Part of oral mucous membrane that covers and is attached to necks of the
teeth and alveolar process of the jaws
handpiece: Dental equipment that is used by holding in the hand to remove tooth
tissue and dental decay in preparation to replace structure with dental materials
irreversible: Not reversible; once something is done, it cannot be changed
methyl methacrylate resin: Main component of dental tooth-colored restorations and
tissue-colored prosthetics
oath: Promise to take care of or treat the patient in their best medical interest
oral and maxillo-facial pathology: Study, diagnosis, and sometimes treatment of
oral- and maxillofacial-related diseases; person practicing is a pathologist
oral and maxillo-facial radiology: Study and radiologic interpretation of oral and
maxillofacial diseases; person practicing is a radiologist
oral and maxillo-facial surgery: Study, diagnosis, and surgery to correct a wide
spectrum of diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, jaw, and the hard
and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region; person practicing is a surgeon
orthodontics: Straightening of teeth and modification of midface and mandibular
growth; person practicing is an orthodontist
pediatric dentistry: Study, diagnosis, and treatment of children and patients with
special needs; person practicing is a pediatric dentist; formerly called pedodontics
periodontal: Pertaining to the area around the tooth
periodontics: Study and treatment of diseases of the periodontium (nonsurgical and
surgical) as well as placement and maintenance of dental implants; person practicing
is a periodontist
preceptorship: Practicing health care professional that gives personal instruction,
training, and supervision to a student
prevention: Act of stopping an action prior to its start
prophylaxis (prophy): Preventing of dental disease by means of cleaning and
polishing the teeth by a dentist or dental hygienist
prosthesis: Artificial device to replace or augment a missing or impaired part of the
body
prosthodontics: Study and treatment of the replacement of lost oral structures;
dentures, bridges, and the restoration of implants; person practicing is a
prosthodontist; some further their training in oral and maxillofacial prosthodontics
(replacement of missing facial structures, such as ear, eye, nose, etc.)
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part . 4
2026 Cengage, ISBN, Chapter 1: Introduction To The Dental Profession
Instructor Manual
SINGHAL, DEFIORE, ALVAREZ, KANTZ, PHINNEY, HALSTEAD, DENTAL ASSISTING: A
COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH, 7E, 2026, 9798214113852; C HAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE
DENTAL PROFESSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter.............................................................................2
Chapter Objectives.................................................................................................................2
Key Terms...............................................................................................................................2
What's New in This Chapter..................................................................................................6
Chapter Outline......................................................................................................................6
Additional Discussion Questions..........................................................................................7
Additional Resources.............................................................................................................8
Internet Resources.......................................................................................................................8
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part . 1
, Instructor Manual: Singhal, DeFiore, Alvarez, Phinney, Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, 7th Edition, ©
2026 Cengage, ISBN, Chapter 1: Introduction To The Dental Profession
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to give students an introduction to the history of the
dental profession and the impact of dental disease. The chapter provides a timeline
of the major developments in dentistry and discusses individuals who had a profound
influence on the evolution of the dental profession.
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1. Define terms presented in this chapter.
2. Identify the major milestones in dental history from ancient times to present
day.
3. Name the individuals who had a great impact on the profession of dentistry.
4. Describe advances in dentistry in the areas of equipment, procedures, infection
control and prevention, medicines, imaging, techniques, and restorative
options.
5. Identify the people who promoted education and organized dentistry.
6. State the twelve specialties of dentistry.
7. Describe career skills of the direct and indirect care dental team members.
8. List the education required for each dental career path.
9. List the professional organizations that represent each dental career path.
10. Explain the importance of being cross-trained.
11. Identify career opportunities for a dental assistant.
KEY TERMS
amalgam: Mixture of metals such as silver and mercury into a soft mass to repair a
decayed tooth; used as a filling
analgesic: Agent that relieves or removes pain
biofilm: Sticky mass that contains mucus and bacteria and grows in colonies on the
teeth; also referred to as dental plaque
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard: Resources and regulations developed to help
prevent health care workers from contracting infectious diseases
bridge: Replacement of a missing tooth by placing an artificial tooth in its place that
is attached to the teeth on either side of the space
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part . 2
, Instructor Manual: Singhal, DeFiore, Alvarez, Phinney, Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, 7th Edition, ©
2026 Cengage, ISBN, Chapter 1: Introduction To The Dental Profession
calculus (tartar): Hard yellowish deposit on the teeth, consisting of organic
secretions and food particles deposited in various salts, such as calcium carbonate;
also called dental calculus
cavity preparation: Hollow space in a tooth produced to support a dental restoration
composite resin: Also referred to as tooth-colored filling; made from mixes of resins
and fillers to give the filling strength and translucency for better color match and
esthetics
confidentiality: Strict privacy or secrecy; limited to persons authorized to use
information
cross-training: Training that covers several tasks within a department or office;
proficient at different yet related skills
dental dam: Rubber sheet used to keep saliva from the teeth during dental
procedures
dental sealant: Transparent synthetic resin applied to the chewing surfaces of molars
and premolars, usually in children as a preventive measure against tooth decay in the
occlusal pits and fissures
denture: Replacement of one or more missing teeth; appliance is removable and sits
on the gingival tissue covering the jawbone; laymen’s term is dental plate or false
teeth
diagnose: To recognize (as a disease) by signs and symptoms; to diagnose a disease
or condition
endodontics: Study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the dental pulp; root
canal therapy; person practicing is an endodontist
epidemiology: Study of the distribution determinants of health-related states or
events in specified populations and the application of this study to the control of
health problems
esthetic: Relating to the consideration of beauty
etching: Used to make microscopic pores for better retention of the restoration by
eating away the surface of enamel with acids
extraction: Removal of a tooth from its socket of bone
extraoral: Situated or occurring outside the mouth
forensics: Relating to or dealing with the application of scientific knowledge to legal
problems
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part . 3
, Instructor Manual: Singhal, DeFiore, Alvarez, Phinney, Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, 7th Edition, ©
2026 Cengage, ISBN, Chapter 1: Introduction To The Dental Profession
gingiva: Part of oral mucous membrane that covers and is attached to necks of the
teeth and alveolar process of the jaws
handpiece: Dental equipment that is used by holding in the hand to remove tooth
tissue and dental decay in preparation to replace structure with dental materials
irreversible: Not reversible; once something is done, it cannot be changed
methyl methacrylate resin: Main component of dental tooth-colored restorations and
tissue-colored prosthetics
oath: Promise to take care of or treat the patient in their best medical interest
oral and maxillo-facial pathology: Study, diagnosis, and sometimes treatment of
oral- and maxillofacial-related diseases; person practicing is a pathologist
oral and maxillo-facial radiology: Study and radiologic interpretation of oral and
maxillofacial diseases; person practicing is a radiologist
oral and maxillo-facial surgery: Study, diagnosis, and surgery to correct a wide
spectrum of diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, jaw, and the hard
and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region; person practicing is a surgeon
orthodontics: Straightening of teeth and modification of midface and mandibular
growth; person practicing is an orthodontist
pediatric dentistry: Study, diagnosis, and treatment of children and patients with
special needs; person practicing is a pediatric dentist; formerly called pedodontics
periodontal: Pertaining to the area around the tooth
periodontics: Study and treatment of diseases of the periodontium (nonsurgical and
surgical) as well as placement and maintenance of dental implants; person practicing
is a periodontist
preceptorship: Practicing health care professional that gives personal instruction,
training, and supervision to a student
prevention: Act of stopping an action prior to its start
prophylaxis (prophy): Preventing of dental disease by means of cleaning and
polishing the teeth by a dentist or dental hygienist
prosthesis: Artificial device to replace or augment a missing or impaired part of the
body
prosthodontics: Study and treatment of the replacement of lost oral structures;
dentures, bridges, and the restoration of implants; person practicing is a
prosthodontist; some further their training in oral and maxillofacial prosthodontics
(replacement of missing facial structures, such as ear, eye, nose, etc.)
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or
duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part . 4
