Classic Practice Resources, Inc.
Appropriate Terminology
(Author, Unknown)
In order to help our patients feel more comfortable, the following terminology guide has been developed. Keep a copy of this and review it occasionally to refresh yourself.
Especially for the Technical Staff
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TRY SAYING
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INSTEAD OF
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“Anesthetic”
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“Shot”
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“Restoration”
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“Filling”
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“Dentistry”
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“Work”
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“Dentures”
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“Plates”
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“My Assistant”
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“My girl”
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“Reshape” or “recontour”
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“Grind”
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“Restoration that has outlived its usefulness”
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“Old filling”
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“Removal”
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“Tooth pulled or extraction”
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“Necessary x-rays”
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“Full mouth or bitewings”
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“Empty your mouth”
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“Spit”
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“Treatment restoration or dressing”
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“Temporary filling”
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“Improved method”
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“New or modern”
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“Repair the tooth”
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“Drill”
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“Complete dentistry”
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“Reconstruction”
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“Primary teeth”
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“Baby teeth”
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“Early loss”
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“Premature loss”
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“Recommend”
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“Suggest”
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“Inform or tell the patient”
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“Educate the patient”
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“Examination”
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“Check up”
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“How do you feel about this?”
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“Do you understand?”
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“Complete mouth series”
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“Full mouth”
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“Bother”
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“Hurt”
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“Decay”
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“Cavities”
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“Prepare”
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“Drill”
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“Light touch”
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“High speed”
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“Discomfort”
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“Pain”
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“Removed”
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“Pulled”
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“Diagnostic models”
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“Study models”
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“This will cause a slight sensation or discomfort for only a moment”
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“This will hurt only for a moment”
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