Study guides · Stuff Every Dental Scout Should Know
Practice facts for the Dentistry merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Dental Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Short answer: They contribute to dental decay and gum disease
Plaque bacteria use sugars to make acid, and that acid damages teeth and gums.
Groan of the day: That plaque is no plaque of honor!
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: To help prevent tooth trauma
Mouth guards help protect teeth from injury during athletic activities.
Groan of the day: Guard your grin!
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: They help prevent tooth decay
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and can be provided to teeth in several ways.
Groan of the day: Fluoride is a cavity fighter, not a fighter of smiles.
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: They can negatively affect oral health
Tobacco use can harm your oral health, so it is best avoided.
Groan of the day: Tobacco and teeth are not a good match.
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: Examines your teeth and mouth and checks for problems
A checkup includes examining the mouth and teeth and looking for problems.
Groan of the day: A checkup keeps your smile in check.
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: Use a model tooth and a large hand brush
A model tooth and a large hand brush help demonstrate proper brushing and flossing.
Groan of the day: Brush up on your demo skills!
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: To circle items that may provide sugars to plaque
The record helps you spot sugary items that plaque can turn into acid.
Groan of the day: Write it down before you bite it down.
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: A dental vibrator, mixing bowl, and model stone
A dental stone cast uses tools like a dental vibrator, mixing bowl, water measure, plastic measure, model stone, and spatula.
Groan of the day: Cast your cares away, not your teeth!
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: Make a poster on prevention
A poster can show the importance of good oral health and prevention.
Groan of the day: Poster power for pearly whites!
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: The accuracy of their claims
Collecting ads and listing claims helps you judge whether the claims are accurate.
Groan of the day: Read the claims, not just the names!
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: The progress of dental decay
Drawings can show how decay progresses and the treatments used to repair it.
Groan of the day: Draw the decay, then draw the fix!
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: Dental hygienist
Dental hygienist is one of several careers that use dentistry skills and knowledge.
Groan of the day: A career with real bite!
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: It uses saliva and enzymes in digestion
The mouth relates to the rest of the body through chewing, saliva, enzymes, nutrition, and speech.
Groan of the day: Your mouth is a busy place!
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: The teeth, gums, and mouth
Dentistry is the branch of medicine focused on the teeth, gums, and mouth.
Groan of the day: Dentistry is mouth focused, not mouthy!
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: A dentist
The practitioner who provides dental care is called a dentist.
Groan of the day: A dentist is the tooth's best friend!
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Dental assistants, hygienists, technicians, and therapists
Dental auxiliaries include dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians, and dental therapists.
Groan of the day: Teamwork makes the teeth work!
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Dental caries and periodontal disease
Most dental treatments prevent or treat dental caries and periodontal disease.
Groan of the day: Caries and gum disease are the usual suspects!
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Restoration of teeth
Common treatments include restoration of teeth, extraction, scaling, root canal treatment, and cosmetic dentistry.
Groan of the day: Restore the tooth, restore the smile!
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Twice or more yearly
Dentists encourage regular checkups twice or more yearly for cleaning and evaluation.
Groan of the day: Twice a year keeps the dentist near!
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: How oral health can affect overall health
The idea that oral health can affect systemic health and disease is called oral-systemic health.
Groan of the day: Your mouth talks to your body!
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Systemic diseases like diabetes
Conditions in the oral cavity may be indicative of systemic diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes, celiac disease, or cancer.
Groan of the day: The mouth can drop a health hint!
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Dental fillings
Fauchard introduced dental fillings as treatment for dental cavities.
Groan of the day: Fauchard filled a gap in history!
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Acid
Plaque bacteria turn sugars into acid, and that acid damages teeth and gums.
Groan of the day: Plaque is no laughing matter, but it sticks with you.
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: It may be replaced in the jaw
Prompt correct action may let a dentist replace a knocked out tooth in the jaw.
Groan of the day: Handle a lost tooth with care, not a brush off.
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: Clean it
The guidance says do not clean the tooth; keep it moist and get dental help fast.
Groan of the day: No scrubbing, just soaking up good advice.
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: In water or a clean wet cloth
Place the tooth in water or wrap it in a clean, wet cloth and see a dentist at once.
Groan of the day: Water you waiting for? Get to the dentist.
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: Take the tooth and its owner to a dentist at once
Get the person and the tooth to a dentist immediately for the best chance of saving it.
Groan of the day: Don’t stall, make the call.
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: Damage them
Sports and falls can damage teeth, so protecting them matters.
Groan of the day: Play hard, protect your smile.
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: Hard swing seats and thrown bats
Hard swing seats and thrown baseball bats are examples of playground dangers to teeth.
Groan of the day: Swing smart, save your smile.
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: Speech
The mouth is related to the rest of the body through chewing, saliva, enzymes, nutrition, and speech.
Groan of the day: Speak up for good oral health.
Sources: Scouting America: Dentistry
Short answer: Increased risk of diabetes and heart disease
Studies show gum disease is associated with increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and preterm birth.
Groan of the day: Take care of your gums, they take care of you.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Root canal treatment
Endodontic treatment is root canal therapy, which treats diseases of the dental pulp.
Groan of the day: Root canal, root of the problem solved.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Documentation and verification of identity
Forensic dentists mainly document and verify identity using dental evidence.
Groan of the day: Teeth can tell a story.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Dental injuries from sports
Sports dentistry deals with prevention and treatment of dental injuries and oral diseases linked to sports.
Groan of the day: Sports dentistry is a real team player.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Dental care for older adults
Geriatric dentistry delivers dental care to older adults, including age-related problems.
Groan of the day: Good oral care ages well.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Dentistry for people with disabilities
Special care dentistry serves people with developmental and acquired disabilities.
Groan of the day: Every smile deserves good care.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Clinical evaluation and diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases
Oral medicine is the clinical evaluation and diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases.
Groan of the day: Oral medicine checks the mouth’s inside story.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Extractions, implants, and jaw surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery includes extractions, implants, and surgery of the jaws, mouth, and face.
Groan of the day: Surgery is no small tooth talk.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Anesthesia, sedation, and pain management
Dental anesthesiology deals with advanced use of anesthesia, sedation, and pain management.
Groan of the day: Comfort matters at the dentist.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Radiologic interpretation of oral diseases
Oral and maxillofacial radiology is the radiologic interpretation of oral and maxillofacial diseases.
Groan of the day: X-rays see what eyes may miss.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Oral and maxillofacial diseases
Oral and maxillofacial pathology is the study and diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial diseases.
Groan of the day: Pathology is a real mouth detective.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Improving the appearance of teeth and smile
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of the mouth, teeth, and smile.
Groan of the day: A bright smile is a real confidence booster.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Extracted teeth with dental implants
Oral implantology is the replacement of extracted teeth with dental implants.
Groan of the day: Implants are a real tooth stand in.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Diseases of the periodontium
Periodontology is the study and treatment of diseases of the periodontium.
Groan of the day: Gums need good care too.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: The care of animals
Veterinary dentistry is the field of dentistry applied to the care of animals.
Groan of the day: Pets need smile care too.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Epidemiology and social health policies
Dental public health is the study of epidemiology and social health policies relevant to oral health.
Groan of the day: Public health helps whole communities smile.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Dental and craniofacial biology
Oral biology is research in dental and craniofacial biology.
Groan of the day: Research helps smiles stay healthy.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Pain in the mouth and face
Orofacial pain is a recognized dental specialty area focused on pain in the mouth and face.
Groan of the day: Pain relief is a real comfort.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: High quality scientific research
Evidence-based dentistry calls for high quality scientific research and evidence to guide decisions.
Groan of the day: Good evidence is a real tooth saver.
Sources: Dentistry
Short answer: Stay up to date on procedures
Evidence-based dentistry helps dentists stay up to date so patients receive improved treatment.
Groan of the day: Stay current, keep smiles bright.
Sources: Dentistry
The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.
Think of your answer first, then peek.
They contribute to dental decay and gum disease. Plaque bacteria use sugars to make acid, and that acid damages teeth and gums.
The progress of dental decay. Drawings can show how decay progresses and the treatments used to repair it.
Systemic diseases like diabetes. Conditions in the oral cavity may be indicative of systemic diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes, celiac disease, or cancer.
Increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Studies show gum disease is associated with increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and preterm birth.
Oral and maxillofacial diseases. Oral and maxillofacial pathology is the study and diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial diseases.
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