dentistry

noun

den·​tist·​ry ˈden-tə-strē How to pronounce dentistry (audio)
: the art or profession of a dentist

Examples of dentistry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The protagonist, McTeague (Gibson Gowland) is a scuffling American naïf, a California miner who, seeking better prospects, learns dentistry from an itinerant practitioner and, without any formal qualifications, starts a practice in San Francisco. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026 But a University of Iowa dentistry professor criticized that research in an accompanying editorial and warned against changing public policy concerning fluoride based on the findings. Alexander Coolidge, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026 Astronauts in line to go to the ISS spend weeks with doctors across different disciplines, including emergency medicine and dentistry, Coleman says. Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 9 Jan. 2026 Wendi Adelson came from a prominent dentistry family in South Florida. Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dentistry

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dentistry was in 1838

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Cite this Entry

“Dentistry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dentistry. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

dentistry

noun
den·​tist·​ry ˈdent-ə-strē How to pronounce dentistry (audio)
: the profession or practice of a dentist

Medical Definition

dentistry

noun
den·​tist·​ry ˈdent-ə-strē How to pronounce dentistry (audio)
plural dentistries
: the art or profession of a dentist

More from Merriam-Webster on dentistry

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