DSTC Terms with Complete Solutions
Abandonment - ANSWER-The termination of the dentist-patient relationship by the
dentist without reasonable notice to the patient
Abrasives - ANSWER-are non-bladed instruments used to finish and polish restorations.
Abscessed Tooth - ANSWER-The tooth has become infected and causes a great deal
of pressure because the built-up fluid has no place to escape.
Air water syringe - ANSWER-provides, air, water or a combination of both
Ala of the nose - ANSWER-wing of the nose or outer edge of the nostril
Alimentary canal - ANSWER-mouth, teeth, tongue and saliva all work together to break
down food into small pieces and move food to the throat area
Alveolitis - ANSWER-commonly happens after a tooth has been removed and a "dry
socket" forms
Amalgamator - ANSWER-mixes dental amalgam and some dental cement
Amalgram - ANSWER-a combination of an alloy and mercury.
Analgesics - ANSWER-cause loss of pain but not a loss of sensation. These can be
non-narcotic such as aspirin and ibuprofen or narcotic such as codeine or morphine.
Anesthesia and Sedation - ANSWER-In many cases, the use of sedation/anesthesia
makes the patient's experience much more pleasant.
Ant-histamines - ANSWER-taken to provide relief of allergic symptoms, conjunctivitis
and rash
Anti-depressant - ANSWER-used to treat major depression, anxiety disorders, social
disorders
Anti-hypertensive - ANSWER-drugs used to treat hypertension
Anti-inflammatories - ANSWER-drugs used to treat inflammation
Anti-virals - ANSWER-given to patient to prevent and treat viral infections
Antibiotics - ANSWER-given to patients to treat and prevent bacterial infections. Some
examples include - penicillin, tetracyclines and cephalosporins.
,Anticoagulants - ANSWER-used to prevent clotting
Apex - ANSWER-at or near the end of the root
Apical foramen - ANSWER-opening in the end of the tooth through which nerve and
blood vessels enter
Arch wires - ANSWER-wire that conforms to the shape of the dental arch.
Are dental decay and periodontal disease transmissible infections? - ANSWER-Yes,
bacteria is spread
Asepsis - ANSWER-is being free of disease-producing microbes
Assault - ANSWER-is intentionally attempting to touch or threaten a person's body
without their consent
At what pH does demineralization begin? - ANSWER-pH of 5.5
Autonomy - ANSWER-How to best protect patient privacy and provide patients with
appropriate treatment
Avulsed tooth - ANSWER-this occurs when a tooth has been forcibly misplaced.
b.i.d. - ANSWER-Twice a day
Battery - ANSWER-is touching a person's body without their consent.
Beneficence - ANSWER-Doing good (Ex: The dental professional has an obligation to
promote good dental health for every patient)
Bifurcated - ANSWER-two roots on one tooth; typically mandibular molars and maxillary
1st premolars
Bin Angle - ANSWER-this is held in a pen grasp and used for class 2 maxillary only.
wheel shape bur
Bite wing - ANSWER-pictures the crown, the inner spaces, and the crest area of the
alveolar bone of both the maxillary and the mandibular teeth
Brackets - ANSWER-attachments that are either welded or bonded directly to the teeth
Breathing - ANSWER-12 - 18 breaths per minute
Bridge - ANSWER-prosthetic device placed in the mouth where a tooth is missing
, Broken prosthesis - ANSWER-a broken full or partial denture
Broken tooth - ANSWER-anterior teeth are commonly broken in accidents, sports
injuries, on water fountains etc.
Buccal - ANSWER-outside surface on posterior teeth which is toward the cheek
Buccal mucosa - ANSWER-inner surface of the cheeks
Buccal tubes - ANSWER-small cylinders of metal molded to the molar bands
Bulimia - ANSWER-which is an eating disorder where individuals "purge" or vomit after
eating on a regular basis.
Burnishers - ANSWER-Flat plastic, Ball burnisher, beavertail burnisher, Cone burnisher,
Pear shaped burnisher,
Cavity Liners - ANSWER-low-strength bases placed in the deepest portion of the cavity
preparation.
Cephalometric - ANSWER-these films are taken to evaluate the growth pattern and to
determine the course of treatment.
Cervical - ANSWER-towards the gumline
Chisels - ANSWER-Osteotome
Cingulum - ANSWER-round, raised area on the cervical third of lingual surfaces of
anterior teeth
Civil Law - ANSWER-Is the most frequent type of law exercised in the dental care
setting. It can be divided into two categories, torts and contracts.
Common Abbreviations used on Prescriptions a.a. - ANSWER-Of each
Composite - ANSWER-composites tooth-colored materials. They can be used on both
anterior and posterior teeth.
Confidentiality - ANSWER-Patients have the right to expect that their treatment will not
be discussed with other patients or shared with anyone outside the dental office without
their expressed consent.
Conscious sedation - ANSWER-is where the patient is placed in an altered state of
consciousness
Abandonment - ANSWER-The termination of the dentist-patient relationship by the
dentist without reasonable notice to the patient
Abrasives - ANSWER-are non-bladed instruments used to finish and polish restorations.
Abscessed Tooth - ANSWER-The tooth has become infected and causes a great deal
of pressure because the built-up fluid has no place to escape.
Air water syringe - ANSWER-provides, air, water or a combination of both
Ala of the nose - ANSWER-wing of the nose or outer edge of the nostril
Alimentary canal - ANSWER-mouth, teeth, tongue and saliva all work together to break
down food into small pieces and move food to the throat area
Alveolitis - ANSWER-commonly happens after a tooth has been removed and a "dry
socket" forms
Amalgamator - ANSWER-mixes dental amalgam and some dental cement
Amalgram - ANSWER-a combination of an alloy and mercury.
Analgesics - ANSWER-cause loss of pain but not a loss of sensation. These can be
non-narcotic such as aspirin and ibuprofen or narcotic such as codeine or morphine.
Anesthesia and Sedation - ANSWER-In many cases, the use of sedation/anesthesia
makes the patient's experience much more pleasant.
Ant-histamines - ANSWER-taken to provide relief of allergic symptoms, conjunctivitis
and rash
Anti-depressant - ANSWER-used to treat major depression, anxiety disorders, social
disorders
Anti-hypertensive - ANSWER-drugs used to treat hypertension
Anti-inflammatories - ANSWER-drugs used to treat inflammation
Anti-virals - ANSWER-given to patient to prevent and treat viral infections
Antibiotics - ANSWER-given to patients to treat and prevent bacterial infections. Some
examples include - penicillin, tetracyclines and cephalosporins.
,Anticoagulants - ANSWER-used to prevent clotting
Apex - ANSWER-at or near the end of the root
Apical foramen - ANSWER-opening in the end of the tooth through which nerve and
blood vessels enter
Arch wires - ANSWER-wire that conforms to the shape of the dental arch.
Are dental decay and periodontal disease transmissible infections? - ANSWER-Yes,
bacteria is spread
Asepsis - ANSWER-is being free of disease-producing microbes
Assault - ANSWER-is intentionally attempting to touch or threaten a person's body
without their consent
At what pH does demineralization begin? - ANSWER-pH of 5.5
Autonomy - ANSWER-How to best protect patient privacy and provide patients with
appropriate treatment
Avulsed tooth - ANSWER-this occurs when a tooth has been forcibly misplaced.
b.i.d. - ANSWER-Twice a day
Battery - ANSWER-is touching a person's body without their consent.
Beneficence - ANSWER-Doing good (Ex: The dental professional has an obligation to
promote good dental health for every patient)
Bifurcated - ANSWER-two roots on one tooth; typically mandibular molars and maxillary
1st premolars
Bin Angle - ANSWER-this is held in a pen grasp and used for class 2 maxillary only.
wheel shape bur
Bite wing - ANSWER-pictures the crown, the inner spaces, and the crest area of the
alveolar bone of both the maxillary and the mandibular teeth
Brackets - ANSWER-attachments that are either welded or bonded directly to the teeth
Breathing - ANSWER-12 - 18 breaths per minute
Bridge - ANSWER-prosthetic device placed in the mouth where a tooth is missing
, Broken prosthesis - ANSWER-a broken full or partial denture
Broken tooth - ANSWER-anterior teeth are commonly broken in accidents, sports
injuries, on water fountains etc.
Buccal - ANSWER-outside surface on posterior teeth which is toward the cheek
Buccal mucosa - ANSWER-inner surface of the cheeks
Buccal tubes - ANSWER-small cylinders of metal molded to the molar bands
Bulimia - ANSWER-which is an eating disorder where individuals "purge" or vomit after
eating on a regular basis.
Burnishers - ANSWER-Flat plastic, Ball burnisher, beavertail burnisher, Cone burnisher,
Pear shaped burnisher,
Cavity Liners - ANSWER-low-strength bases placed in the deepest portion of the cavity
preparation.
Cephalometric - ANSWER-these films are taken to evaluate the growth pattern and to
determine the course of treatment.
Cervical - ANSWER-towards the gumline
Chisels - ANSWER-Osteotome
Cingulum - ANSWER-round, raised area on the cervical third of lingual surfaces of
anterior teeth
Civil Law - ANSWER-Is the most frequent type of law exercised in the dental care
setting. It can be divided into two categories, torts and contracts.
Common Abbreviations used on Prescriptions a.a. - ANSWER-Of each
Composite - ANSWER-composites tooth-colored materials. They can be used on both
anterior and posterior teeth.
Confidentiality - ANSWER-Patients have the right to expect that their treatment will not
be discussed with other patients or shared with anyone outside the dental office without
their expressed consent.
Conscious sedation - ANSWER-is where the patient is placed in an altered state of
consciousness
