dental

adjective den·tal \ ˈden-tᵊl \

|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

Definition of dental

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

play \-ē\ adverb

See dental defined for English-language learners

See dental defined for kids

Recent Examples of dental from the Web

Remains of all the victims were identified after the crash, either through dental records, DNA or fingerprints.

— Fox News, "Remaining wreckage of Flight 93 is buried at memorial," 10 July 2018
The dental record can also reveal important markers of health to anthropologists.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "How Ancient Teeth Reveal The Roots of Humankind," 2 July 2018
In October, Deputy Medical Examiner Supervisor Kristine Klenz said the Medical Examiner's Office first attempts to identify a body visually, by dental records or fingerprints, but if those attempts fail, other avenues may be taken.

— evan frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Dismembered body found in Okauchee Lake remains unidentified," 22 June 2018
Hammack said dental records and Rollins' tattoo confirmed his identity and the family was informed Wednesday.

— michael katz, idahostatesman, "Body found of one of 4 missing hunters who crashed in Selway River," 13 June 2018
On Thursday, Preston's office said Dr. Charles Foy, the agency's forensic odontologist, had used dental records to positively identify two other victims, Yolanda Simmons, 44, and Keland Simmons, 24, of Baton Rouge.

— bob warren, NOLA.com, "Last victim in deadly I-12 crash in St. Tammany ID'd," 1 June 2018
Her body was decomposed after being out in the elements for what appears to be several years and she was identified through dental records, said Utah County Sheriff James Tracy.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Skeletal remains found in Utah canyon ID'd as long-missing woman Elizabeth Salgado," 28 May 2018
Mason City police have also requested government documents and dental records from that time, but Lt.

— juliet muir, NBC News, "Family still searching for answers in 1955 disappearance of World War II veteran," 26 May 2018
Authorities made a positive ID of the remains by using dental records, Gorniak said last month.

— alanne orjoux, dakin andone and wayne drash, CNN, "Missing CDC worker's death was a suicide by drowning, medical examiner rules," 23 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dental.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dental

Latin dentalis, from dent-, dens

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1594

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

dental

noun

Definition of dental

: a dental consonant

Recent Examples of dental from the Web

In 2014, the board passed a resolution for salaries and benefits for trustees that included medical and hospitalization insurance and dental and vision insurance.

— christina hall, Detroit Free Press, "Indicted Macomb Twp. trustee Bucci no-show at meetings, still gets paid," 21 May 2018
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified by the medical examiner through dental records, according to the statement.

— justin wm. moyer, Washington Post, "Driver killed in fiery Wilson Bridge tractor-trailer crash identified," 25 June 2018
Under Temple’s guidelines, doctors are discouraged from dispensing opioids to patients with acute or chronic dental or back pain, migraines, or chronic abdominal pain, and won’t prescribe opioids to patients who run out of pain meds.

— aubrey whelan, Philly.com, "How the opioid crisis is changing how Philadelphia emergency room doctors care for patients," 29 May 2018
Some companies offer benefits like health and dental insurance and a matching 401(k) plan.

— mary hunt, Woman's Day, "8 Ways to Make Money Online," 3 Mar. 2015
Other monthly expenses include: $190 for health and dental insurance, $400 for groceries, $500 for restaurants and entertainment, $100 for car insurance and gas, $60 for cellphone, $75 for home insurance, and $450 for business expenses.

— lisa ward, WSJ, "A Desire to Save Money—While Traveling in a Tiny House," 10 June 2018
Benefits: Profit sharing; 401(k); health and dental; HSA plan; life insurance and voluntary life insurance for family.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Top Workplaces Cincinnati winner: Kingsgate Logistics traces its family values to its roots," 7 June 2018
The company provides 100 percent coverage of health and dental for every employee.

— azcentral, "Top Companies to Work for in Arizona-Small Companies," 7 June 2018
Both the dental records and the rivet proved fruitless in identifying the victim.

— cassie dickman, sacbee, "Could DNA technology help identify body from dumpster fire nearly 20 years ago? | The Sacramento Bee," 26 May 2018

First Known Use of dental

circa 1727

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

DENTAL Defined for English Language Learners

dental

adjective

Definition of dental for English Language Learners

: of or relating to teeth or to the work dentists do

DENTAL Defined for Kids

dental

adjective den·tal \ ˈden-tᵊl \

Definition of dental for Students

: relating to the teeth or dentistry

Medical Dictionary

dental

adjective den·tal \ ˈdent-ᵊl \

medical Definition of dental

1 : relating to, specializing in, or used in dentistry

dental surgery

dental students

2 : relating to or used on the teeth

dental paste

—

dentally

play \-ē\ adverb

Learn More about dental

See words that rhyme with dental Spanish Central: Translation of dental Nglish: Translation of dental for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dental for Arabic speakers

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dental

Definition of dental

dentally

Recent Examples of dental from the Web

Origin and Etymology of dental

dental

Definition of dental

Recent Examples of dental from the Web

First Known Use of dental

Phrases Related to DENTAL

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DENTAL Defined for English Language Learners

dental

Definition of dental for English Language Learners

DENTAL Defined for Kids

dental

Definition of dental for Students

Medical Dictionary

dental

medical Definition of dental

dentally

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