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

This includes medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. — Alan Gionet, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Oftentimes that’s paying a medical bill — an unpaid $5,000 ALS treatment, or $8,000 in dental repairs post a car accident — according to Jensen and Ferrer. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

Smile Dental Services will provide dental exams, varnish treatments, sealants, oral health education and referrals for more services to county residents younger than 20. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

She’s joined by 14 new houseguests, including an MMA fighter, a two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race competitor, a Survivor 50 star, a rocket scientist, a surgical dental assistant, a pickleball coach, an elementary school counselor and more. — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

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