Adults Should Brush Up On Dental Terminology
The reason why many American adults are uncomfortable in the dental chair might be due to a lack of familiarity with dental terminology.
The reason why many American adults are uncomfortable in the dental chair might be due to a lack of familiarity with dental terminology. Delta Dental’s Adult’s Oral Health & Well Being Survey reports the majority of adults are not versed in key dental terms, such as caries and prophylaxis.
The national survey reveals nearly all respondents (92%) say they are familiar with plaque. However, two in five adults (40%) are not sure what the term sealant means; 81% are not well versed in bruxism; 75% are not familiar with caries, and 64% of adults are not well versed in prophylaxis. Only 67% of survey respondents were familiar with periodontal diseases.
Clinicians can take time to explain unfamiliar dental terms to patients to help them understand the diagnosis or treatment.
