D.D.S.
Doctor of Dental Surgery - equivalent to D.M.D.

Decay
Destruction of tooth structure caused by toxins produced by bacteria.

Deciduous Teeth or Primary Teeth
Commonly called "baby teeth," the first set of (usually) twenty teeth.

Deductible
The amount paid by the patient before the carrier starts to pay benefits.

Dental Implant
A (usually) titanium cylinder surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw to provide support for a dental restoration or appliance.

Dental Maintenance Organization (D.M.O.)
A legal entity that accepts the responsibility of providing services at a fixed price. The enrollees in these plans must have dental care provided through designated doctors. Trojan classifies these plans as Managed Care.

Dentin
Inner layer of tooth structure, immediately under the surface enamel.

Dentition>
The arrangement of natural or artificial teeth in the mouth.

Denture
A removable appliance (prosthesis) that partially or completely replaces all of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.

Denturism
The production of dentures dispensed directly by laboratory technicians.

Dependent
Usually the spouse and children of the subscriber.

Diagnostic
Procedures performed by the dentist to identify what's going on in the mouth. The most common procedures you will deal with are the exam and x-ray which Trojan classifies as preventive.

Diastema
Space between teeth.

D.M.D.
Doctor of Medical Dentistry - equivalent to D.D.S.

D.M.O.
See Dental Maintenance Organization.