Module 1: Key Terms Flashcards
Professional organization that represents the profession of dental assisting on a national level.
American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA)
The nationally recognized credential of the dental assistant who has passed the DANB certification examination and keeps current in practice through continuing education.
Certified dental assistant (CDA)
National agency responsible for administering the certification examination and issuing the credential of certified dental assistant.
Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 specifies federal regulations that ensure privacy regarding a patient’s healthcare information.
HIPAA
Person who meets the standards of a profession.
Professional
A dental laboratory technician who has passed a written national examination and who performs dental laboratory services such as fabricating crowns, bridges, and dentures, as specified by the dentist’s written prescription.
Certified dental technician (CDT)
Oral healthcare professional trained to provide supportive procedures for the dentist and for patients.
Dental assistant
Specialist who installs and maintains dental equipment.
Dental equipment technician
Licensed oral healthcare professional who provides preventive, therapeutic, and educational services.
Dental hygienist
Professional who performs dental laboratory services such as fabricating crowns, bridges, and dentures, as specified by the dentist’s written prescription. Most frequently trained on the job as an apprentice.
Dental laboratory technician
Specialty that promotes oral health through organized community efforts.
Dental public health
Representative of a dental supply company who provides dental supplies, product information, services, and repairs.
Dental supply person
Oral healthcare provider licensed to practice dentistry.
Dentist
Dental specialty that diagnoses and treats diseases of the pulp.
Endodontics:
Dental specialty that deals with the diagnosis of disease through various forms of imaging, including x-ray films (radiographs).
Oral and maxillofacial radiology
Dental surgical specialty that diagnoses and treats conditions of the mouth, face, upper jaw (maxilla), and associated areas.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Dental specialty that diagnoses and treats diseases of the oral structures.
Oral pathology
Specialty within dentistry that focuses on preventing, intercepting, and correcting skeletal and dental problems.
Orthodontics
Dental specialty concerned with neonatal through adolescent patients, as well as patients with special needs in these age groups.
Pediatric dentistry
Dental specialty involved with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting tissues.
Periodontics
Dental specialty that provides restoration and replacement of natural teeth.
Prosthodontics
Self-determination.
Autonomy
Never revealing any personal information about the patient.
Confidentiality
Moral standards of conduct; rules or principles that govern proper conduct.
Ethics
Minimum standards of behavior established by statutes for a population or profession.
Laws
Withdrawing a patient from treatment without giving reasonable notice or providing a competent replacement.
Abandonment
Dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dental laboratory technicians.
Dental auxiliary
Level of supervision in which the dentist is physically present when the dental auxiliary performs delegated functions.
Direct supervision
Just, proper, and sufficient care, or the absence of negligence.
Due care
Level of supervision in which the dental auxiliary performs delegated functions according to the instructions of the dentist, who is not necessarily physically present.
General supervision
Contract that is established by actions, not words.
Implied consent
Permission granted by a patient after he or she is informed about the details of a procedure.
Informed consent
Professional negligence.
Malpractice
System that allows individuals in one state to obtain a license in another state without retesting.
Reciprocity
Latin for “things done.” Statements made by a person present at the time of an alleged negligent act that are admissible as evidence in a court of law.
Res gestae
Latin for “Let the master answer.” Legal doctrine that holds an employer liable for the acts of the employee.
Respondeat superior
Level of knowledge, skill, and care comparable with that of other dentists who are treating similar patients under similar conditions.
Standard of care
Document of law that specifies legal requirements for practicing dentistry in a particular state.
State Dental Practice Act
Consent that involves a written explanation of diagnostic findings, prescribed treatment, and reasonable expectations about treatment results.
Written consent
