dentistry

American

[den-tuh-stree] / ˈdɛn tə stri /

noun

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

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

/ dĕn′tĭ-strē /

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

Body Language: Dent, Dont ("Tooth")

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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.

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

"I do worry that we're beyond the point that NHS dentistry can be saved," says the BDA's chair Eddie Crouch.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

These firms focus mostly on specialty fields built on high-volume procedures and steady insurance payments, like dermatology, dentistry, and gastroenterology.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2026

“Dental problems are very clearly associated with diabetes,” as well as heart problems and other health issues, said Paul Glassman, associate dean of the California Northstate University dentistry school.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026

It amounted to assembly-line dentistry, quick and impersonal, and the young captain’s main concern seemed to be the clock.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023