ADC Written Exam key terms

The highly mineralised, acellular outer layer covering the crown of a tooth. At roughly 96% mineral by weight it is the hardest tissue in the body, but it cannot regenerate once destroyed.

The tubular, living tissue forming the bulk of the tooth, softer than enamel and containing odontoblast processes. Its permeability means irritation or caries can provoke pulpal responses.

The soft tissue within the tooth chamber containing nerves, blood vessels and odontoblasts. It provides sensation and forms dentine, and becomes inflamed when the tooth is injured or infected.

The network of collagen fibres that suspends the tooth in its bony socket. It absorbs occlusal forces, provides proprioception and permits orthodontic tooth movement.

A structured, adherent community of bacteria embedded in a polysaccharide matrix on tooth and restoration surfaces. Its accumulation drives both dental caries and inflammatory periodontal disease.

A thin acellular film of salivary glycoproteins that forms on clean tooth surfaces within minutes. It lubricates the surface and provides receptors for early bacterial colonisation.

Loss of calcium and phosphate from dental hard tissue caused by acid produced by plaque bacteria or by dietary acid. It creates subsurface porosity and can progress to cavitation if not reversed.

The redeposition of calcium and phosphate ions into demineralised tooth structure, aided by saliva and fluoride. It can repair early non-cavitated lesions but cannot restore lost tooth form.

An ion that reduces caries by inhibiting demineralisation, enhancing remineralisation, forming fluorapatite and interfering with bacterial metabolism. Systemic ingestion during tooth development also improves enamel crystal structure.

An opaque, chalky area on enamel indicating subsurface demineralisation with an intact surface layer. It is potentially reversible with plaque control and fluoride.

A philosophy of care that preserves tooth structure, prevents disease and uses the least invasive effective treatment, with emphasis on caries risk assessment, remineralisation and repair rather than replacement.

A structured evaluation of biological, behavioural and social factors that predict a patient's likelihood of developing new carious lesions, used to tailor preventive and recall strategies.

The distance in millimetres from the gingival margin to the base of the gingival sulcus or pocket, measured with a periodontal probe to assess periodontal support loss.

The distance from the cementoenamel junction to the base of the pocket. It indicates cumulative periodontal attachment loss and is more reliable than probing depth for tracking disease progression.

Inflammation of the dental pulp. Reversible pulpitis causes sharp pain provoked by stimuli that resolves quickly; irreversible pulpitis causes spontaneous, lingering pain and typically requires endodontic treatment or extraction.

In endodontics, the distance from a coronal reference point to the intended apical limit of preparation, usually the apical constriction. It guides instrumentation and obturation.

A latex or non-latex sheet applied over the tooth and secured with a clamp, providing isolation from saliva and soft tissues, protecting the airway and improving visibility; standard for endodontics.

A dental cement formed by the acid–base reaction between fluoroaluminosilicate glass powder and polyacrylic acid. It bonds chemically to tooth, releases fluoride and is used for liners, restorations and luting.

A tooth-coloured restorative of resin matrix, inorganic filler and silane coupling agent, set by light-activated polymerisation. Shrinkage on setting can cause marginal gap, sensitivity and secondary caries.

A topical solution combining silver, which has antimicrobial action, and fluoride, which enhances remineralisation. It arrests active carious lesions and is used where conventional restorative care is difficult.

Exposed bone in the maxillofacial region for more than eight weeks in a patient receiving antiresorptive or antiangiogenic therapy, without a history of head and neck radiotherapy.

The calculated total milligram dose of a local anaesthetic that should not be exceeded for a patient, based on body weight and the agent's toxicity, adjusted for the vasoconstrictor and patient factors.

An intraoral injection depositing local anaesthetic near the mandibular foramen to anaesthetise the inferior alveolar nerve, giving pulpal anaesthesia to mandibular molars and premolars on that side.

Routine infection control practices applied to all patients regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, protective eyewear, sharps handling and surface disinfection, treating all body fluids as potentially infectious.

A validated process that destroys all micro-organisms including bacterial spores on reusable instruments. In dental practice this is typically achieved with a benchtop steam autoclave using appropriate cycles and monitoring.

The immediate management after occupational exposure to blood or body fluids, including wound care, source testing, and vaccination or antiviral medication where indicated, guided by jurisdictional health protocols.

A transient loss of consciousness due to reduced cerebral perfusion, commonly triggered by fear or injection. Management includes supine positioning, airway maintenance and monitoring; recovery is usually rapid.

A severe, rapidly progressive immunoglobulin E-mediated hypersensitivity reaction causing airway swelling, bronchospasm and hypotension. Intramuscular adrenaline given promptly is the first-line treatment.

The radiation protection principle of keeping exposure as low as reasonably achievable, achieved through justification, optimised technique, collimation, lead protection and quality assurance testing of equipment.

A patient's voluntary agreement to treatment after receiving and understanding information about the proposed care, its risks, benefits, alternatives and the consequences of declining, given by someone with capacity.

The ability of a patient to understand, retain, weigh and communicate a decision about their own healthcare. It is decision-specific and is presumed unless there is evidence otherwise.

A legal principle allowing a minor to consent to their own treatment when they have sufficient understanding and intelligence to fully comprehend what is proposed.

The statutory obligation of registered health practitioners to report to AHPRA another practitioner whose impairment, intoxication, departure from accepted standards or sexual misconduct places the public at substantial risk of harm.

The range of clinical activities a practitioner is educated, competent and authorised to perform. Practitioners must recognise their limits and refer or seek supervision when care is beyond their competence.

The ongoing learning required to maintain and enhance competence. In Australia registered dental practitioners must meet the Dental Board's annual CPD requirements, including mandatory topics such as infection control.

Practice that recognises and respects a patient's cultural identity, power imbalances and history, so the person feels safe and respected. It is central to care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

An Australian government program providing capped funding for a defined range of basic dental services to eligible children aged under 18 whose families receive certain income support payments.