Definition

1. Noun:
   • A healthcare professional specializing in oral health: A dentist is a person who is qualified and licensed to diagnose, prevent, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of the teeth, gums, and mouth.

Usage

• A dentist is a professional title. The word is used to refer to the person and their profession.
• It is typically preceded by articles like "a" or "the," or by possessive determiners like "my" or "our."
• Example: "You should visit a dentist for a regular check-up." / "The dentist said my teeth are healthy." / "I have an appointment with my dentist."

Examples

• Noun:
  • The dentist filled a cavity in my molar.
  • She is training to become a dentist.
  • Our family dentist is very gentle with children.

Advanced Usage

• "To go to the dentist": This is a common phrase meaning to have a dental appointment or visit the dental clinic.
  • I need to go to the dentist for a cleaning.
• "Dentist's office": Refers to the place where a dentist works.
  • I'll meet you at the dentist's office at 3 PM.

Variants and Related Words

• Dentistry (n): The field or profession of a dentist; the science concerned with the care and treatment of the teeth and oral structures.
  • He studied dentistry for five years.
• Dental (adj): Relating to teeth or dentistry.
  • She has good dental hygiene.
• Orthodontist (n): A dentist who specializes in correcting irregularities of the teeth and jaws (e.g., with braces).
  • The orthodontist recommended braces for my son.

Synonyms

• Dental surgeon: A more formal term for a dentist, often used in British English.
• Tooth doctor: An informal, non-technical term for a dentist.

Related Phrases

• To see a dentist: To have a consultation or treatment from a dentist.
  • You should see a dentist about that toothache.
• Dentist's chair: The special chair patients sit in during dental treatment.
  • He felt nervous in the dentist's chair.

Noun

1. a person qualified to practice dentistry