DANB CDA flashcards

31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

ALARA

Principle requiring that occupational and patient radiation exposure be kept as low as reasonably achievable, using time, distance, and shielding without sacrificing diagnostic quality.

Inverse square law

Radiation intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source; doubling distance reduces intensity to one quarter of its original value.

Maximum permissible dose

Annual occupational limit of 50 mSv (5 rem) for radiation workers; the general public limit is 1 mSv (0.1 rem) per year.

Personnel dosimeter badge

Film, TLD, or OSL badge worn at collar level outside the lead apron to record cumulative occupational radiation dose, reported as shallow and deep dose.

Thyroid collar

Lead shield worn around the neck during intraoral radiography and pediatric panoramic exposures to reduce radiation dose to the thyroid gland.

Rectangular collimation

Restricting the x-ray beam to a rectangular shape matching the image receptor, reducing the volume of patient tissue exposed compared with round collimation.

Digital sensor exposure

Digital receptors require roughly one-third to one-half the exposure of film; increasing exposure to compensate degrades image quality and raises patient dose.

Film badge over-read

A dosimeter reading above expected levels must be reported to the radiation safety officer for investigation; it is not a reason to alter patient treatment.

Chain of infection

Six links: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, transmission mode, portal of entry, susceptible host; breaking any link prevents transmission.

Standard precautions

Infection control measures applied to all patients regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, mask, eye protection, and safe sharps handling.

Critical item

An instrument or device that penetrates tissue or contacts the bloodstream, such as scalers and forceps, and therefore must be sterilized before reuse.

Semicritical item

An item that contacts mucous membranes but does not penetrate tissue, such as mirrors and impression trays; it requires sterilization or high-level disinfection.

Spore test

Biological indicator using Geobacillus stearothermophilus for steam sterilizers and Bacillus atrophaeus for dry heat or ethylene oxide; a positive result removes the unit from service.

Surface barrier

A disposable plastic cover placed over difficult-to-clean surfaces such as light handles; it is replaced between patients and does not replace end-of-day disinfection.

Sharps container limit

Rigid, puncture-resistant, labeled container is filled no more than three-quarters full and replaced to prevent accidental needle sticks during disposal.

Transfer zone

Area over the patient's chest where instruments are exchanged between dentist and assistant using a consistent pen-grip hand position and announced sequence.

High-volume evacuation

Suction tip held within about one to two centimeters of the operative site to remove debris, coolant, and aerosols; the saliva ejector is not a substitute.

Lidocaine 2% cartridge

A 1.8 mL cartridge contains 36 mg lidocaine; with 1:100,000 epinephrine it contains 0.018 mg epinephrine and is the most common dental anesthetic.

Maximum lidocaine dose

Recommended maximum of 4.4 mg per kilogram, with an absolute adult limit near 300 mg; divide total milligrams by 36 to calculate cartridges.

Rubber dam inversion

After clamping the anchor tooth, the dam margin is tucked under the gingival sulcus with floss to create a seal that isolates the field and protects the airway.

Tofflemire matrix

A retainer and band system used for posterior Class II restorations to establish the proximal contour and confine the restorative material during placement.

Sectional matrix and wedge

A contoured sectional band plus wedge used for tight proximal contacts in Class II composite restorations; the wedge also protects the adjacent tooth.

Composite curing increments

Composite is placed in increments of about two millimeters and light-cured between layers to ensure adequate depth of polymerization and reduce shrinkage stress.

Universal tooth numbering

Permanent teeth numbered 1 through 32 starting with the maxillary right third molar; primary teeth are lettered A through J maxillary and K through T mandibular.

FDI tooth notation

Two-digit system where the first digit is the quadrant (1–4 permanent, 5–8 primary) and the second digit is the tooth position from the midline (1–8).

Periodontal probing depth

Depth in millimeters from the gingival margin to the base of the sulcus; 1–3 mm is healthy, 4 mm suggests gingivitis, and 5 mm or more suggests periodontitis.

Bleeding on probing

A sign of active gingival inflammation; it is recorded during periodontal charting and indicates the need for further assessment and possible scaling and root planing.

Caries demineralization

Bacterial acids from Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus dissolve enamel mineral; saliva and fluoride promote remineralization as acid-resistant fluorapatite.

Syncope management

For fainting, place the patient supine with legs elevated, loosen tight clothing, monitor vital signs, and activate emergency services if consciousness does not return promptly.

Adult vital signs

Normal ranges: blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg, pulse 60–100 beats per minute, respiration 12–20 per minute, temperature 36.1–37.2 degrees Celsius.

Exposure control plan

Written OSHA-required program covering standard precautions, hepatitis B vaccination offer, annual training, and a sharps injury log for the dental office.