dental

1 of 2

adjective

den·​tal ˈden-tᵊl 

1

: of or relating to the teeth or dentistry

2

: articulated with the tip or blade of the tongue against or near the upper front teeth

dentally

ˈden-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

dental

2 of 2

noun

: a dental consonant

Examples of dental in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Phoenix Elementary School District offers on-campus vision, respiratory, and dental care through mobile clinics to improve student attendance. —Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025

Many of the dogs needed dental care, and some struggled emotionally. —Simone Jasper july 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2025

Advertisement Doctors and dentists also said that banning fluoride supplements would disproportionately affect low-income children who don’t have consistent access to dental care and who often live in areas that already have high rates of cavities. —Alana Semuels, Time, 23 July 2025

All of these dental assistants, these women — who were awesome — have really been through a lot. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin dentalis, from dent-, dens

First Known Use

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1727, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dental

• dental floss
• dental hygienist
• dental records
• dental school
• dental technician

Rhymes for dental

• ental
• gentle
• lentil
• mental
• rental
• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental

Kids Definition

dental

adjective

den·​tal

ˈdent-ᵊl

: of or relating to the teeth or dentistry

Etymology

Adjective

from Latin dentalis "relating to the teeth," from dent-, dens "tooth" — related to dandelion, indent, trident

Medical Definition

dental

adjective

den·​tal ˈdent-ᵊl 

1

: relating to, specializing in, or used in dentistry

dental surgery

dental students

2

: relating to or used on the teeth

dental paste

dentally

-ē 

adverb