Glossary

GLOSSARY

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Abrasive system:: Abrasive agent + polishing agent = Abrasive system for toothpaste.
Abutment teeth:: The teeth to which the two ends of a bridge are attached.
Adherence:: The willingness of the patient to comply with the suggested plans of self-care proposed by dental health professionals.
ADL:: Activities of Daily Living. Toileting, preparing food, showering, getting into bed, etc.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. (IADL):: Using telephone, preparing meals, managing money.
Adhesin:: The surface appendage of a bacterium that allows the microbe to attach to receptor sites on the tooth or on other bacteria in the plaque.
ADA:: American Dental Association: The United States professional organization of dentists, with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.
ADA Seal of Acceptance:: An advisory to inform the profession and the public that a product meets the requirements of the ADA for safety and effectiveness. It does not have the force of law, as does an approval by the Food and Drug Administration. However, product manufacturers eagerly seek the Seal as an additional incentive for the public to buy.
ADA Website:: www.ada.org The ADA Website is a source of information about dental subjects and dental products.
Aging:: Young elderly---65-74 years of age.
Mid elderly ---75-84 years of age.
Oldest old ---over 85 years of age.
AIDS:: Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome. Usually contracted through sex and exchange of drug needles.
Aerobic bacteria:: Bacteria that require oxygen for survival.
Anaerobic bacteria:: Bacteria that survive only in the absence of oxygen.
Anorexia:: No desire to eat.
Antiemetics:: Emesis=vomiting. Antiemetics= Drugs to suppress vomiting.
Anti-smoking programs:: Programs conducted to teach avoidance or cessation of use of tobacco products by non-users, and to help existing smokers to break their addiction.
"Antibiotic prophylaxis":: The administration of an antibiotic for patients where there is a possibility of causing a transient bacteremia.
Aphasia:: A condition where reception (hearing), integration and expression (brain) of language is impaired. Difficulty in finding the right words to communicate.
Attached gingiva:: The mucous membrane extending from the muco-gingival fold to the marginal gingival on the facial side of the alveolar process.
Autistic:: Self-centered in thought and behavior. Often difficult or unable to use language appropriately.
Avulsion:: The traumatic removal of teeth. (accidents, sports)
Baby bottle caries:: Usually caused by an infant taking milk as nourishment when hungry, and then retaining the nipple and the milk in the mouth during "sleep time. " Can also be caused by "demand" breast-feeding.
Behavior modification:: A change in behavior due to motivation causing a shift in self-designated goals.
Biofilm:: A layer of living organisms that can attach to a solid object, for instance moss or seaweed to rocks, or in a dental context, oral bacteria to the teeth.
Bis-GMA:: The abbreviation of the chemical name of the plastic used for sealants. (Bisphenol A-glycidyl methylacrlate).
Biopsy:: The excision (removal) and microscopic examination of tissue suspected of being cancerous.
Bleeding index:: A record of the location of marginal bleeding following gentle probing of the free margin of the gingiva.
Body defense cells:: Cells that identify the presence of antigens (foreign bodies), remove the antigens, and/or repair the damage caused by the antigens.
Body Mass Index:: A medical standard for defining obesity.
Body wraps:: Blanket like wraps that fully enfold a young patient to restrain body parts or patient actions during a dental procedure.
Buffering:: The ability to neutralize acidity (of the plaque) of alkaline substances (chemistry).
Bulimia:: Binge eating. Eating a meal, and then resorting to regurgitation to eliminate the stomach contents. Often accompanied by lingual erosion of teeth from stomach acid.
Caloric sugar:: Containing calories. Natural sugars--Sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, etc.
Cannula:: A small diameter tip of an irrigator syringe or device that allows a deeper irrigation of a periodontal pocket.
Caregiver:: Members of the family, a friend, or hired personnel who assume responsibility of helping compromised persons to live as normal life as possible.
Caries activity:: A level of caries risk as determined by use of laboratory methods, plaque index and other evidence-based evaluations.
Caries Activity Indictors (CAI):: Evidence-based predictors of the course and outcome the dental caries process.
Catheter:: A tube connecting a body cavity with the exterior for purposes of irrigation or drainage.
Cavitated:: An incipient lesion in which the surface zone has collapsed over the body of the lesion, thus creating an overt cavity.
Cemento-enamel junction:: The junction point between the coronal enamel and the cementum.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP):: An arm of the United States Public Health Service is located in Atlanta, GA. It is responsible for epidemiology studies to determine the presence, extent and recommended solutions to diseases in the United States and in collaboration with foreign governments.
CFUs:: Colony forming units (bacteria). The number of bacterial colonies that are found on a suitable agar after an appropriate period of incubation.
Chemical plaque control:: The use of anti-microbial mouth rinses to aid in plaque control.
Chemotaxis:: A response to a chemical signal that initiates the movement of body defense cells to an area of inflammation.
Children's Dental Health Month–February:: A nationally sponsored month by the dental profession and dental hygienists' in which there is a coordinated effort by community leaders, industry, volunteer dentists and students to demonstrate the advantages of dental care.
Chlorination:: The addition of chlorine compounds to water supplies to kill pathogenic bacteria.
Chlorhexidine:: An effective anti-microbial mouthrinse that is effective for suppressing cariogenic and periopathogenic organisms.
Cleft palate:: An oral malformation in which there is a lack of union at the midline of the palate which may involve only a split uvula of the soft palate to a cleft of all structures of the palate and include the upper lip.
Cognition:: Ability to concentrate and think logically.
Colorado Brown Stain:: The early designation for severe fluorosis (with brown coloration of teeth) before its etiology was known.
Collagen:: Collagen is the protein for the framework of soft and hard tissues of the body.
Collagenase:: Is the enzyme that attacks collagen.
Compliance:: A willingness of a patient to follow prescribed actions.
Compromised individual:: A person with one or more physical, medical, mental or emotional problems that limit their ability to function normally.
Concept:: After an individual has learned a sufficient number of facts relating to a subject, by reasoning these facts begin to form an overall belief called a concept.
Coronal caries:: Caries located on the crown of the tooth.
Cost-effective analysis:: A calculation of how much money is saved (or overspent) as a result of some action.
CPITN:: A Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs: A world-wide standardized periodontal index based on the severity (pocket depth) exhibited by a population.
Crevicular fluid:: A tissue fluid that arises from the underlying connective tissue, flows slowly through the gingival crevice into the mouth; its two major functions are to (1) flush out catabolites, and (2) to act as a carrier for immune cells and antibodies that bathe (and protect) the four smooth surfaces on every tooth.
Cytokine:: A pro-inflammatory blood borne agent of the body's immune system.
Cure:: Occurs when a disease process terminates with a return to histologic normalcy of all tissues involved. The return to normal can be due to natural body defense mechanisms, or because of professional intercession.
Debridement:: The mechanical or chemical removal of infectious or necrotic material from an inflamed, or potentially inflamed area.
Demineralization:: The loss of mineral from the tooth because of bacterial acids, acid foods (soft drinks, acid juices, etc), or even toothbrushing abrasion.
Demographic data:: Environment conditions relating to and having an effect on data found in a survey, such as population, socioeconomic status, race, age, unusual environmental conditions, etc.
Dental caries:: A carbohydrate modified transmissible localized infection caused mainly by mutans streptococci and lactobacilli.
Dental plaque:: A combination of bacteria, saliva and complex polysaccharides on the surface of the teeth.
Dentate:: With teeth. The opposite is edentulous, i.e., not to have teeth.
Dentifice:: A more scientific, but less used, term for toothpaste.
Desquamate:: To shed skin cells.
Dentacult SM and Denticult L:: Commercially available test kits that facilitate counting of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, respectively.
Dentino-enamel junction (DEJ):: The junction between the dentin and the enamel cap.
Dextrose:: Common lay designation of glucose.
Dietary Fluoride Supplement Schedule:: Recommended daily dosage of fluoride supplements. (applicable to fluoride drops or tablets) to bring the daily intake to the equivalent of 1 ppm.
Dietary Reference Intake (DRIs):: To address how foods can bridge the difference between healthy individuals and those with chronic and acute disease. This also will involve a study of different vitamins, minerals as they relate to health.
Digitized x-ray:: Instead of a film that needs to be wet processed, an electronic sensor of similar size is used. The same office x-ray unit is used for energy. The resulting image is processed in the computer and can be shown on the monitor, recorded for storage on a tape or disk, or e-mailed for insurance claims.
Disaccharide:: A combination of two simple sugars. Example–Glucose + fructose=sucrose.
Disclosing tablet:: A red tablet that is chewed to mix with saliva and then swished around the mouth to disclose the presence and location of dental plaque on the teeth.
Dysarthia:: A speech problem.
Duraflor:: A commercial fluoride varnish for aiding remineralization and for reducing hypersensitivity of dentin. (Also, Durophat and Fluor Protector).
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPDST):: A federal program that mandates that medical and dental services be provided to children from low income families to receive a dental screening within 12 months of birth.
Edentulism:: Without teeth.
Elderly:: Young elderly, from 65-74 years of age; mid-old, 75-84; and 85 > oldest old.
Electrocardiogram:: A measurement of the electrical activity of the heart as a diagnostic measure.
Electronic periodontal probes:: Electronic probes attached to a computer that automatically triggers a measurement of pocket depth when a given pressure on the bottom of the sulcus is encountered.
Embrasure:: The inter-proximal space between two adjacent teeth. Classified as Class 1 embrasures that occurs when a soft tissue papilla fills the entire space, type 3 when the papilla is missing, and type 2, intermediate.
Enamel maturation:: A period of one or two years after eruption during which time the enamel becomes "fully" mineralized (matured).
Endodontics:: The treatment of diseased root canals.
Endoscope:: A small probe-like videocamera for examining areas that is not readily available, for visual examination–, for example, intra nasal examination, colonoscopy, intra oral dental examination, etc.
Endothelial cells:: The cells lining blood vessels.
Epidemiological survey:: A controlled study of the origin, presence, extent or consequences of a condition or disease.
Epithelial attachment:: The junctional epithelial cells that attach the crevicular epithelium to the tooth.
Eruptive period, pre-:: Before eruption. It is a period during which teeth are developing.
Eruptive period, post-:: A short, indefinite period after eruption.
Etchant:: An acid (40-50%) phosphoric acid that is used to etch the tooth surface to provide more surface area that in turn enhances retention of sealants.
Etiology:: The cause of a disease.
Evidence-based decisions:: The basing of decisions on verified research evidence that certain signs or symptoms are predictive of certain outcomes. For instance, the finding of a greater number of mutans streptococci poses a greater risk for future caries development than does a low count.
Exodontics:: The extraction of teeth.
Extrinsic stain:: A stain that is on the outside of the tooth surface that can be removed.
Facultative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria:: Bacteria that can survive in the presence , or absence of oxygen, respectively.
Fact:: A positive or negative bit of information that a person consciously or unconsciously remembers temporarily or permanently.
Fimbria:: Small microscopic projections from a cell wall.
Fistula:: A passage created in the tissue between a subsurface infected area and the surface.
Flap surgery (periodontal diseases):: The removal of a sufficient circumferential portion of the marginal gingival to lessen pocket depth and open the subgingival area to self-care preventive procedures.
Fluoridated water, artificial:: Water that is adjusted to 1 ppm of fluoride content (with annual temperature compensation).
Fluoridated water, natural:: Ground water that is fluoridated by water flowing over rocks and soil containing fluoride.
Fluoridation, topical:: The professional liquid or gel office application of fluoride to the surface of the teeth, or the home application of fluoride to the teeth by use of dentifrices and mouthrinses.
Fluoride diffusion effect:: Also referred to as a "Halo effect". It is the caries reduction experienced by individuals not living in a water fluoridated area, but getting its benefits by eating and drinking food processed in an area with optimum water fluoride content. Also. The term applies to those who commute between fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities.
Fluoride varnishes:: Varnishes containing fluoride that is painted over tooth surfaces to provide a longer contact of fluoride with the enamel or cementum.
Frank lesion:: Same as cavitated or overt caries lesion.
Fluorosis:: Cosmetic deviation of enamel in development because of an excessive intake of fluoride during the development periods of the primary and the permanent teeth. Depending on amount of intake, the cosmetic effect ranges from mild veining to a severe brown coloration with a pitting of the enamel.
Food and Nutrition Board:: A government Board established in 1941 by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Science to determine the food needs of the American people. It is a still functioning Board with a greatly enlarged mandate to study all aspects of food intake, as for instance, what are the detailed nutritional needs of pregnancy and lactation?
Foods Additive Amendment:: Passed by Congress in 1958. A Bill that required all manufacturers to prove that a new food product was safe.
Furcation areas:: The space between multi-rooted posterior teeth.
Gag reflex:: A reflex to a tendency to vomit. Often encountered when patient irritate the posterior tongue or palatal area when cleaning the teeth. Also can occur with an obnoxious taste or with some cases of pregnancy.
Gingival crevicular fluid:: Fluid that arises from the connective tissue beneath the gingival sulcus that slowly flows through the gingival crevice. Its purpose is to flush debris from the sulcus, and the carry defense agents into the oral cavity.
Gingival sulcus:: Around each tooth there is a collar of approximately 3 millimeters on depth of soft tissue. (A comparative soft-hard tissue junction might be the cuticle of the fingernail). Between that collar and the tooth there is a potential sulcus or crevice.
Glass ionomer:: A hard plastic with fine incorporated glass powder to resist abrasion. Used for restorations and tried as a sealant substitute.
Glaucoma:: An increased intraocular pressure that, unless treated, can lead to blindness.
Gnotobiotic environment (or chamber):: A sterile chamber that is used to give birth, feed, and accomplish studies of rodents or animals in a bacteria-free environment.
Goal orientation:: An objective than an individual has decided to attain; it may be only a temporary short-term goal or a long-term goal; it may be a temporary short-term goal that is powerful only until attained.
Guideline:: An established and agreed upon method for examining, treating, preventing and/or monitoring a disease.
Head Start:: A national program that provides access to early learning for under privileged children.
Health promotion:: Any planned combination of educational, political, regulatory and organizational efforts conducive to the health of a community or group of individuals in a definite geographical location.
HFCS:: High corn sugar fructose.
HIV:: Human immunodeficiency virus. Usually a predecessor of AIDS.
Homeostasis:: Occurs when the body is in normal metabolic balance in the body. Reference to caries: a balance between demineralization and remineralization.
Hopewood House:: An orphanage in Australia that demonstrated that children raised on a good diet, caries is minimal. It also proved that once the children left Hopewood House and its diet, caries again became a problem, proving that the acquired low caries status of the orphanage was not permanent.
Human Genome Project:: Probably the greatest health research program of the 20th Century. This has been a world-wide research effort to decipher "the molecule of life"–desoxynucleic acid.
Humeral body defenses:: Genetic defense factors found in body fluids.
Hydroxyapatite:: The basic building crystal in the formation of enamel rods. It is composed of mainly calcium, phosphate and hydroxyl, but also includes many other trace quantities of up to thirty-or-forty elements.
Hyper-:: Above normal.
Hypo-:: Below normal.
Hypoglycemic shock:: A decrease in the level of blood glucose (in diabetes mellitus) that can be accompanied by a variety of symptoms from confusion to coma and death.
Hypothesis, non-specific:: A belief that periodontal diseases arose from the conglomeration of bacteria making up the dental plaque. Now discounted.
Hypothesis, specific:: A belief that the periodontal diseases arise from specific bacteria in the dental plaque.
Immune response:: Any time a foreign substance penetrates the body's defenses, there is a cellular reaction (immune response) to seek out the antigen (foreign substance) and to neutralize or eliminate it.
Immunization:: The injection, or ingestion of an antigen into the body to cause an enhancement of he body's capability to resist disease.
Incidence:: The amount of disease that occurs between two surveys over an agreed upon time period.
Incipient caries lesion:: A pre-caries lesion that exists before cavitation. Seen on the enamel as a "white spot." It can be remineralized.
Informed patient consent:: Before any treatment is commenced, the patient is informed verbally, or in writing of all primary and treatment options, costs and expected results.
Implant:: A metallic "root" (the implant) that is surgically inserted into the alveolus in the space of a missing tooth. Following healing, a crown is later constructed on the "root".
Incidence:: A study of the rate of occurrence of a disease or condition over a given period of time.
Intense sweetener:: Considered non-caloric because of their small bulk needed to deliver desired sweetness.
Interproximal:: The area between the mesial and distal surfaces of two adjacent teeth.
Intrinsic stain:: A stain that was incorporated in the enamel during development, and which cannot be removed without damage to the enamel.
Irrigator:: A small device containing a reservoir for water that is pumped at relatively low velocity to cleanse the inter-proximal spaces or loosening plaque.
Ischemia:: Lack of sufficient blood to a part.
Kock's postulates:: Kock, a German bacteriologist postulated that the etiology of an infectious disease could only be confirmed when the agent could be recovered from a patient, introduced into an experimental animal to produce the same disease with a re-recovery of the same original pathogen.
Lactobacilli:: An acidogenic bacterial species that is an etiologic microorganism seen at the later stages of the incipient caries lesion, dental caries.
Lucency:: (As applied to dental x-rays), a darker area on the x-ray indicating demineralization (caries) or the enamel, dentin or cementum.
Leukoplakia:: A white or reddish corrugated lesion sometimes found in the mouth that is often a pre-cancerous.
Level 1 school preventive program:: A fluoride mouth rinse program accomplished with the cooperation of the teachers, school nurse and volunteers from the Parent Teachers Association.
Level II school preventive programs:: All procedures of the Level 1 program, plus the addition of a dental hygienist to help in the teaching of dental subjects, plus the additional clinical duties of prophylaxes and sealant placement.
Level 3 school preventive programs:: All the procedures of Level I and II, plus the addition of a dentist to accomplish secondary and tertiary preventive requirements.
Life span:: The maximum of life potentially possible–120 years-of-age.
Life stage groups:: A logical division of a total population into various age groups according to their different nutritional needs. Also groups such as pregnancy and lactation.
Lysozyme:: An antibacterial enzyme found in the saliva and other fluids of the body.
Malodor, oral:: Halitosis.
Mechanical plaque control:: The use of toothbrushes, dental floss, and irrigators to aid in plaque removal.
Monomer:: A liquid plastic that when mixed with a catalyst, polymerizes to a hard plastic (polymer); or a liquid plastic containing a catalyst that is activated with a light (light cured).
Monosaccharide:: A simple sugar. Example–Fructose, and glucose.
Morbidity:: A ratio of sick to a given number of persons per unit time. Example 12:100,000/year.
Mortality:: The number of deaths from a given cause in a population per unit time. Example: 1:1000 per year.
Motivation:: An inner drive of an individual to attain a self-designated goal.
Mucositis:: An inflammation of a mucous membrane.
Multifactorial disease:: A disease where several factors must coalesce in order to cause the disease.
Mutans streptococci:: A causative cariogenic organism linked to the early stages of an incipient caries lesion.
National Institute of Dental and CranioFacial Research (NIDCFR):: Located in Washington, DC on the campus of the National Institutes of Health. The institute is responsible for planning, publicizing, accomplishing the government funding for research that is needed to improve dental and cranial-facial health.
National Labeling and Education Act of 1990:: A Congressional Act that requires specified information being imprinted on the label indicating the nutritional content of the contained items of food.
New Zealand School Dental Program:: For New Zealand students in New Zealand between the age 5 and 13, which includes most of the procedures embodied in Level 1, 2 and 3 performed by specially trained Dental Nurses trained for government service. 90% of the children in New Zealand are enrolled in the program.
Non-invasive care:: Care that can be administered without damage to the body tissues.
Obturator:: A specialized maxillary prosthesis constructed to facilitate speech and eating of a cleft palate individual, as well as to prevent food from entering the nasal cavity.
Occlusal surface:: Each posterior tooth has five surfaces, mesial, distal, lingual, buccal and occlusal; the occlusal surface is the biting surface of the posterior teeth.
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1987 [Public Law 203]:: Requires comprehensive assessments to determine specific health care need by those residents of nursing homes participating in Medicate or Medicare Part B program. The assessment must be conducted not later than 14 days after admission.
OSHA:: Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A Federal agency responsible for the enforcement of health and environmental safety laws passed by Congress.
Osteoporosis:: A pathology of bone marked with fragility and porosity.
Octocalcium phosphate:: The first mineral laid down for enamel formation before its conversion to hydroxyapatite.
Oral health self-care:: Any action taken by an individual to maintain optimum oral health, including carrying out daily mechanical and chemical plaque control regimens as well as complying with recommendations by the dentist or dental hygienist.
OTC drugs:: Drugs sold over-the-counter without a prescription. Prescription drugs which must have a doctor's prescription Example: Asperin vs penicillin.
Overt caries lesion:: A cavity where the undermined enamel has broken down into a cavity, a process called cavitation. Remineralization is not a possibility –(at least at this point in time, 2002.)
PAHO:: Pan American Health Organization.
Papillae:: 1. The triangular soft tissue that fills the inter-proximal embrasures; 2. the specialized projections from the surface of the tongue that allow reception of different taste sensations.
Passive smoking:: Relates to the tobacco smoke inhaled by family members or bystanders who breathe second-hand smoke.
Pasteurization:: The heating of a product (usually milk) to a given temperature (often 60° C) for a given time (30 minutes) in order to kill pathogenic bacteria, and extend the time before other bacteria become pathogenic.
Periodontal disease indicators:: Signs and symptoms that usually precede the onset of periodontal disease. Also called "markers".
Periodontal pocket:: An abnormal deepening of the gingival sulcus marked by an accompanying apical migration of the epithelial attachment.
Peri-implantitis:: Following the placement of an implant, the same meticulous self-care is necessary as with natural teeth. When this care does not materialize, the same infection and apical migration occurs to the epithelial attachment occurs as with periodontitis.
Permiability (of teeth):: The ability of fluids to pass from the surface to the pulp and vice versa.
Phagocytosis:: The envelopment and destruction of an antigen by one of the body defense cells (such as neutrophils).
Plaque index:: O'Leary's index charts the location of the location of plaque on the teeth. The index of Silness and Loe is much the same with the exception that the status of the adjoining index is also recorded.
Polyol, (Alcohol sugar):: Sweeteners that have an alcohol grouping to each carbon atom of the polyol. Referred to as sugar alcohols. Examples: sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol.
Polypharmacy:: Excessive multiple usage of medications.
Pontics:: The artificial teeth that are a part of the bridge between the abutment teeth.
Prediction:: A clinical decision as to the outcome of a disease process based on professional judgement and evidence-based information.
Predictive value, negative:: Probability that the subject will not develop disease.
Predictive value, positive:: Probability that the subject will develop disease.
Prevalence:: The amount of disease that is found after an epidemiology survey of a population.
Presbycusis:: Hearing deterioration.
Presbyopia:: Far sighted. Opposite–myopia.
Prognosis:: A synonym for "prediction".
Prophylaxis:: A cleaning of the hard concretions, plaque and food particles (material alba) from the tooth surfaces. (It should involve a final polishing with fluoride paste.)
Prosthesis:: An artificial replacement for a lost body part–bridges, dentures, artificial legs, etc.
PSR (Periodontal Screening and Recording System):: Similar to the CPITN, with the exception that it offers suggested treatment to match each level of severity.
Quadriplegic:: An individual who has lost the use of arms and legs due to spinal cord injuries.
Radiation caries:: The rampant cares that often occurs because of the destruction of the oral salivary glands that have been in the x-ray beam as a part of cancer treatment.
Refractory disease:: A disease that does not respond to accepted treatment therapies.
Remineralization:: The replacement of tooth mineral (hydroxyapatite) that has been lost by demineralization. The minerals needed for the remineralization are derived from the saliva (or from man-made products).
Risk:: The probability that a harmful or unwanted event will occur.
Risk assessment:: A professional judgement on an individual's susceptibility or resistance to disease, based on evidence-based information.
Risk factor:: An evidence-based sign, test, or circumstance reliably associated with the onset or progression of a disease process.
Root caries:: Caries located on the root (cementum) of a tooth.
School-Based Health Clinics (SBHC) and School-Based Dental Health Clinics (SBDC):: communities to set up SBHC and School Based Dental Health Clinics to improve the total and dental health of school children. Funding is now beginning to come from the government.
School Health Council:: A Council or committee made up of representatives from the community and from the school district to identify or to develop programs to improve the total health–including dental health–of school students.
"Scoreboard":: A summary profile of the key factors of a patient's oral health following a laboratory, x-ray and clinical dental examination.
Screening tests:: A rapid examination to identify healthy from unhealthy individuals, and the characteristics that separate them.
Seal of Acceptance:: The logo and overprint of the American Dental Association awarded to manufacturers who voluntarily submit products to the ADA for testing of safety and efficacy of a product or device used for preventing or treating oral diseases.
Sealant:: A plastic that is flowed over the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth, and lingual pits of upper incisors to form a barrier between caries risk sites and the hostile oral environment.
Sensitivity (of test):: The proportion of diseased subjects who test positive is termed "sensitivity".
Snyder test:: A colorometric test used to estimate the relative acidogenic potential of salivary lactobacilli.
Soft ties:: Cloth or leather straps use to immobilize uncontrollable body parts as resulting from imperfect neuromuscular control.
Specificity:: The proportion of non-diseased subjects that test negative.
"Spit" tobacco:: A contemptuous term for the habit associated with either chewing tobacco or use of snuff".
Stannous:: Meaning, tin. Example: Stannous fluoride=tin fluoride.
Streptococci mutans:: Is a specific species of the mutans streptococci grouping.
Subgingival and supra-gingival plaque:: The plaque that is located on the tooth below, and above the gingival, respectively.
Suppuration:: Pus. A puerulent discharge from an infected area.
Symbiosis (bacterial):: Two or more species of bacteria that mutually support one another.
Tattletooth II:: An integrated dental health teaching program conducted under the auspices of the Texas Department of Health. Teachers from K-12 are provided with prepared packets of dental information considered important for each grade level.
Tautness:: The tension of dental floss that is maintained by the fingers, or by the prongs of the floss holder.
TNM:: A method of evaluation of the treatability of cancer, based on the extent of the (T)umor, involvement of the lymph (N)odes and the extent of (M)etastases.
Tolerable Upper Intake (of food):: A study to attempt to answer the question, "What food do you need to remain healthy, but not obese?"
"Topping":: Flowing a sealant over a preventive dentistry restoration and the remaining fissure system of a posterior tooth.
Trismus:: (As applied to dentistry). Difficulty in opening the mouth due to nerve involvement, pain and/or infection of the masticatory muscles. (Lockjaw)
USPHS:: United States Public Health Service.
Vaccine:: The introduction of beneficial agent into the body to enhance the capability of the immune system to challenge and/or eliminate and repair the damage caused by a foreign antigen.
Validity:: The reproducible accuracy of a test as a predictive measure.
Value:: A strongly held belief of an individual, based on an unknown number of positive or negative concepts, that in turn are based on an unknown number of positive or negative facts.
Vasculitis:: Inflammation of blood vessels resulting in the leakage of fluid and the migration of defense cells through the capillary walls.
Vipeholm:: A study conducted in a mental institution in Vipeholm, Sweden. The clients were fed cariogenic snacks at different frequencies, at mealtime, between meals, etc. to see which situation was the most cariogenic.
"White spots":: A white translucent area on the enamel indicating that there is localized demineralization of the enamel and possibly exstending as far as the underlying dentin.
WHO:: World Health Organization.
Xerostomia:: Dry mouth. A lower than normal secretion of saliva (1 ml per minute). A symptom with Sjorgrens Disease, also following exposure of the salivary glands to cancer radiation and after use of several psychogenic drugs, fear, etc.
Xylitol:: A sugar alcohol that is used as a flavoring agent that is both non-cariogenic and anti-cariogenic.