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

When in May the government admitted that the exam papers for medical and dental courses had been leaked and that millions would have to re-sit nationwide, long held discontent exploded into widespread anger. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026

This is an agency with a history of billing scandals, of union bosses bullying pushover pols, of robust pensions and sweetheart health and dental plans that require little or no payment by employees. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026

In 2012 Reynal had a weak quarter while managing a dental equipment facility in California, and in a meeting, Culp sharply criticized the results. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 July 2026

To create the photo itself, Pavleski used standard dental X-ray film placed behind his image subject. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 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