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dentistry

American  
[den-tuh-stree] / ˈdɛn tə stri /

noun

  1. the profession or science dealing with the prevention and treatment of diseases and malformations of the teeth, gums, and oral cavity, and the removal, correction, and replacement of decayed, damaged, or lost parts, including such operations as the filling and crowning of teeth, the straightening of teeth, and the construction of artificial dentures.


dentistry British  
/ ˈdɛntɪstrɪ /

noun

  1. the branch of medical science concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the teeth and gums

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dentistry Scientific  
/ dĕntĭ-strē /
  1. The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the teeth, gums, and other structures of the mouth.


Etymology

Origin of dentistry

First recorded in 1830–40; dentist + -ry

Vocabulary lists containing dentistry

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Those pursuing designated professional degrees, including law, medicine and dentistry, are limited to $50,000 a year with a $200,000 cap.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 6, 2026

The Education Department had initially planned to limit borrowing for students in 11 programs they defined as professional, like medicine and dentistry, to $50,000 a year and a total of $200,000.

From MarketWatch Jul. 1, 2026

Their findings, published in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, could eventually influence treatments far beyond dentistry.

From Science Daily May 8, 2026

Starting in July, graduate students attending professional programs, including for medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine, will be able to borrow a maximum of $200,000 over the course of their degree.

From MarketWatch Mar. 31, 2026

Scientists attribute the significantly larger population in the Americas to a relatively disease-free society whose use of herbal medicine, surgery, dentistry, and hygienic and ritual bathing kept disease at bay.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

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