HOSA DENTAL TERMINOLOGY STUDY
GUIDE
Maximum Permissible Dose (MPD) - ANS highest rate of radiation exposure
Roentgen (R) - ANS basic unit of exposure to radiation; C/kg
Rad (radiation absorbed dose) - ANS unit of absorbed radiation; Gy
Rem (roentgen equivalent measure) - ANS unit of radiation needed to produced same
biological effect of one R; Sv
Erythema Dose - ANS radiation overdose that produces redness of the skin
Dosimeter - ANS device to measure the amount of stray/secondary radiation
Lead Barriers, Shields - ANS device that blocks out scattered radiation
Phantom - ANS device used for practice in learning radiation-exposure techniques; Dexter
Express Contract - ANS Verbal or written words that are agreed on in an established contract
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Liner applicator - ANS To place calcium hydroxide or glass ionomer in cavity preparation.
Amalgam plugger - ANS used to pack amalgam into tooth
Sterilize - ANS the process where ALL forms of life are completely destroyed. This includes all
microorganisms; bacteria, fungi, viruses and bacterial spores. (Eg - autoclave, chemical vapor
sterilization and dry heat sterilization)
Disinfect - ANS the process where SOME forms of microorganisms are destroyed. it does not
destroy spores and resistant viruses.
Sanitize - ANS the process that cleans and destroys FEW microorganisms
Distal - ANS farthest from the midline
Root Canal Therapy - ANS process of removing pulp of a tooth and filling it with an inert
material.
palate - ANS hard and soft tissue forming the roof of the mouth
Broad-spectrum activity - ANS capable of killing a wide variety of microbes
Bioburden - ANS any visible organic debris, blood saliva and other body fluids
Unerupted tooth - ANS a tooth that has not pushed through the gum and assumed its correct
position in the dental arch
quadrant - ANS 1/2 of one dental arch
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,abfraction - ANS loss of tooth surface in cervical area
ameloblast - ANS enamel forming cells
angle of the mandible - ANS area from which the ramus ascends on the lower border of the
mandible
apex - ANS root end of tooth
biteblock - ANS device used to hold radiation film in mouth for exposure
biteloop - ANS encircles periapical film
buccinator - ANS principal cheek muscle
cnaliculi - ANS small channels or canals may be present in cementum
candidiasis - ANS infection of mouth, thrush
cantilever bridge - ANS only one side of device attatched
cheilosis - ANS inflammation of lips
cingulum - ANS smooth, convex, or rounded bump on lingual of maxillary anteriors
clasp - ANS extension of partial appliance that grasps surrounding teeth for support
commisure - ANS corner of the mouth where the lips meet
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, complex cavity - ANS decay involving more than two surfaces of a tooth
compound - ANS nonelastic impression material used in edentulous impressions
condyloid - ANS posterior growth on ramus of the mandible
coping - ANS thin covering placed over remaining tooth surface
core buildup - ANS use of synthetic material to enlarge tooth core area to provide support for
a crown
cortical plate - ANS outer bone layer growth of alveolar bone
crepitus - ANS grinding, joint abrasion
cuspid - ANS third tooth posterior of the midline, also called canine, eye tooth
cuticle - ANS tissue layer covering tooth surface
Nasmyth's membrane - ANS tissue layer covering tooth surface
denticle - ANS small tooth growth, pulp stone
embrasure - ANS v-shaped tooth gap between contact area and gingival crest
fontanel - ANS baby's soft spot literally "little fountain"
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
GUIDE
Maximum Permissible Dose (MPD) - ANS highest rate of radiation exposure
Roentgen (R) - ANS basic unit of exposure to radiation; C/kg
Rad (radiation absorbed dose) - ANS unit of absorbed radiation; Gy
Rem (roentgen equivalent measure) - ANS unit of radiation needed to produced same
biological effect of one R; Sv
Erythema Dose - ANS radiation overdose that produces redness of the skin
Dosimeter - ANS device to measure the amount of stray/secondary radiation
Lead Barriers, Shields - ANS device that blocks out scattered radiation
Phantom - ANS device used for practice in learning radiation-exposure techniques; Dexter
Express Contract - ANS Verbal or written words that are agreed on in an established contract
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Liner applicator - ANS To place calcium hydroxide or glass ionomer in cavity preparation.
Amalgam plugger - ANS used to pack amalgam into tooth
Sterilize - ANS the process where ALL forms of life are completely destroyed. This includes all
microorganisms; bacteria, fungi, viruses and bacterial spores. (Eg - autoclave, chemical vapor
sterilization and dry heat sterilization)
Disinfect - ANS the process where SOME forms of microorganisms are destroyed. it does not
destroy spores and resistant viruses.
Sanitize - ANS the process that cleans and destroys FEW microorganisms
Distal - ANS farthest from the midline
Root Canal Therapy - ANS process of removing pulp of a tooth and filling it with an inert
material.
palate - ANS hard and soft tissue forming the roof of the mouth
Broad-spectrum activity - ANS capable of killing a wide variety of microbes
Bioburden - ANS any visible organic debris, blood saliva and other body fluids
Unerupted tooth - ANS a tooth that has not pushed through the gum and assumed its correct
position in the dental arch
quadrant - ANS 1/2 of one dental arch
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,abfraction - ANS loss of tooth surface in cervical area
ameloblast - ANS enamel forming cells
angle of the mandible - ANS area from which the ramus ascends on the lower border of the
mandible
apex - ANS root end of tooth
biteblock - ANS device used to hold radiation film in mouth for exposure
biteloop - ANS encircles periapical film
buccinator - ANS principal cheek muscle
cnaliculi - ANS small channels or canals may be present in cementum
candidiasis - ANS infection of mouth, thrush
cantilever bridge - ANS only one side of device attatched
cheilosis - ANS inflammation of lips
cingulum - ANS smooth, convex, or rounded bump on lingual of maxillary anteriors
clasp - ANS extension of partial appliance that grasps surrounding teeth for support
commisure - ANS corner of the mouth where the lips meet
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, complex cavity - ANS decay involving more than two surfaces of a tooth
compound - ANS nonelastic impression material used in edentulous impressions
condyloid - ANS posterior growth on ramus of the mandible
coping - ANS thin covering placed over remaining tooth surface
core buildup - ANS use of synthetic material to enlarge tooth core area to provide support for
a crown
cortical plate - ANS outer bone layer growth of alveolar bone
crepitus - ANS grinding, joint abrasion
cuspid - ANS third tooth posterior of the midline, also called canine, eye tooth
cuticle - ANS tissue layer covering tooth surface
Nasmyth's membrane - ANS tissue layer covering tooth surface
denticle - ANS small tooth growth, pulp stone
embrasure - ANS v-shaped tooth gap between contact area and gingival crest
fontanel - ANS baby's soft spot literally "little fountain"
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
