COF key terms

A developmental cyst of the jaw arising from dental lamina remnants, most often in the posterior mandible. It tends to grow along the bone with minimal expansion and has a notable recurrence rate after treatment.

A benign but locally aggressive epithelial tumor of the jaw, usually in the posterior mandible. It causes slow expansion, may resorb roots, and is managed with resection because conservative removal leads to high recurrence.

Complete surgical removal of a cyst or lesion as an intact unit, including its lining, from the surrounding bone or soft tissue. It is used when the entire lesion can be accessed and removed without fragmenting it.

A technique in which a cyst is opened and its lining sutured to surrounding tissue to create a permanent drainage opening. This decompresses the lesion and allows the cavity to shrink before later definitive removal.

Surgical removal of a continuous segment of the jaw, including bone and involved soft tissue, with continuity often restored by grafting or a reconstruction plate. It is reserved for aggressive or extensive lesions.

Death of bone after therapeutic radiation, most commonly in the mandible, in which irradiated tissue fails to heal and may expose bone. It is often triggered by extraction or infection and is managed with conservative care first.

Treatment in which a patient breathes pure oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure to raise tissue oxygen levels and support healing. It is used adjunctively for problem wounds and for prevention or treatment of osteoradionecrosis.

Rapidly progressing decay affecting the cervical and incisal areas of teeth in patients who received head and neck radiation, related to reduced saliva and altered oral flora. Prevention relies on fluoride and frequent recall.

The subjective sensation of a dry mouth, which may occur with normal or reduced salivary flow. Causes include medications, radiation, autoimmune disease, and nerve injury, and it raises caries and candidiasis risk.

An opportunistic fungal infection of oral mucosa caused most often by Candida albicans, appearing as removable white plaques or erythematous areas. It is associated with dry mouth, dentures, immune suppression, and antibiotic use.

Exposed jawbone persisting beyond eight weeks in a patient receiving or previously treated with antiresorptive medication, without head or neck radiation. Risk rises after extractions and with intravenous potency and duration.

A planned temporary interruption of an antiresorptive or similar medication, arranged with the prescribing physician, before an invasive dental procedure. Evidence for benefit is limited, so decisions are individualized.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving and understanding information about its nature, risks, benefits, alternatives, and the consequences of declining. It must be obtained before treatment and documented.

A patient's decision to decline recommended care after being told the risks of not proceeding. The discussion and the patient's choice should be documented to protect the patient and clinician.

The range of procedures and services a clinician is legally and professionally authorized to perform given licensure, training, and supervision requirements. Working outside it exposes the clinician to discipline and liability.

The level of skill and judgment that a reasonably prudent clinician with similar training would provide in similar circumstances. It is the benchmark used to judge whether care was negligent.

A legal duty to notify designated authorities when a clinician suspects child abuse, elder abuse, or certain communicable conditions. Reporting is required by statute and does not require proof.

United States federal regulation governing how protected health information may be used and disclosed by covered entities. It sets patient rights, minimum-necessary limits, and rules for releasing records.

Individually identifiable health information created or held by a covered entity and linked to a person's care, payment, or health status. Its handling is restricted by federal privacy and security rules.

The requirement to limit use, disclosure, and access to protected health information to the least amount needed for a given purpose. It shapes how records are shared with insurers, employers, and others.

A structured record of a patient's past and present health conditions, medications, allergies, surgeries, and family and social factors. It guides risk assessment and treatment modifications before care begins.

A systematic inquiry about symptoms across body systems, asked during assessment to uncover conditions the patient may not volunteer. Positive findings prompt further evaluation or medical consultation.

A six-level system that grades a patient's overall physical status before anesthesia or surgery, from healthy to moribund. It helps predict risk and plan monitoring and setting of care.

Categorizing a measured blood pressure as normal, elevated, stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension, or hypertensive crisis according to published thresholds. The category guides urgency and need for medical referral.

A sympathomimetic used in local anesthetic solutions to prolong anesthesia and reduce bleeding, and as the first-line drug for anaphylaxis. Its dose must be limited in patients with significant cardiovascular disease.

The upper limit of a drug, such as a local anesthetic, that may be given based on patient weight and health status. Exceeding it risks systemic toxicity and adverse events.

Adverse effects from excessive blood levels of local anesthetic, ranging from perioral numbness and tinnitus to seizures and cardiac arrest. Management includes airway support and lipid emulsion in severe cases.

A severe, rapid, systemic allergic reaction with airway swelling, bronchospasm, and circulatory collapse. Immediate intramuscular epinephrine, oxygen, and emergency services are required.

A brief loss of consciousness from transiently reduced cerebral blood flow, often triggered by stress, pain, or prolonged upright posture. Management is supine positioning with legs elevated and airway monitoring.

Administration of antibiotics before a procedure to prevent infection in selected patients, such as those with certain cardiac conditions or prosthetic joints. Regimens follow current guidelines and are not routine.

Infection of the heart valves or endocardium, which can follow bacteremia from dental procedures in susceptible patients. Prevention focuses on identifying high-risk cardiac conditions and giving prophylaxis when indicated.

A needlestick or other penetrating injury that breaches the skin and may transmit bloodborne pathogens. Immediate washing, reporting, source evaluation, and post-exposure prophylaxis assessment are required.

Short-course medication or vaccination given after a possible exposure to a pathogen to reduce the chance of infection. It is time-sensitive and guided by the source status and current protocols.

An occupational safety regulation requiring employers to limit employee exposure to blood and other potentially infectious material through controls, protective equipment, training, and hepatitis B vaccination offers.

Periodic biological monitoring of sterilizers using resistant bacterial spores to confirm that sterilization conditions were achieved. Failed results require equipment review and retesting before reuse.

A process that destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores, on instruments and items. It differs from disinfection, which reduces pathogens but may not eliminate spores.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based product at specified moments to reduce transmission of microorganisms. It is the single most effective routine infection-control measure.