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Dentist Spanish Vocabulary

To get started, we’ll cover some fundamental words and phrases related to the people you’ll encounter in a dental office. Learning Spanish for dentists goes a long way in improving communication and truly connecting with your patients. In the upcoming sections, we’ll explore must-know phrases, medical terms, and helpful communication tips. These will empower you to provide top-notch dental care and build strong, long-lasting relationships with your Spanish-speaking patients.

Preparation of a Medical History

Vocabulary used in the preparation of a medical history, necessary to indicate to the patient which are the steps to follow.

EnglishSpanish
Interview Entrevista
Clinical Examination Exploración clínica
Patient assessmentValoración del paciente
Dental impressions Impresiones dentales
X-ray Radiografía
Periapical X-ray Radiografía periapical
Panoramic X-rayPanorámica

Front Office Terminology

In order to talk to the patient when he/she comes for consultation, gather personal information and his/her insurance information if he/she has it, we attach the following:

EnglishSpanish
How can I help you?¿Cómo puedo ayudarlo?
Do you have an appointment or would you like to schedule one? ¿Tiene una cita o desea programar una?
What day and time is convenient for you? ¿Qué día y hora le es conveniente?
Could you tell me your first and last name? ¿Me podría decir su nombre y apellido?
How old are you? ¿Qué edad tiene?
Please give me your address and phone numberPor favor, indíqueme su dirección y número de teléfono.
Do you have insurance?¿Tiene usted seguro?
What kind of insurance do you have? ¿Qué clase de seguro tiene? / ¿Cuál seguro tiene?
May I see your card please?¿Podría ver su tarjeta por favor?
These are the treatments that your insurance may cover…Estos son los tratamientos que su seguro puede cubrir…
With your insurance you only need to make a copaymentCon su seguro sólo tiene que hacer un copago
What method of payment will you be using (Debit, credit, check, cash, apple pay)?¿Qué método de pago estará utilizando? (Debito, crédito, cheque, efectivo, apple pay).

Common Phrases

Polite phrases and questions usually asked the patient before proceeding with the clinical examination.

EnglishSpanish
Good morning Buenos días
Good afternoon Buenas tardes

My name is… Mi nombre es…

How are you? / How are you today?¿Cómo está? / ¿Cómo se encuentra el día de hoy?
What is the reason for your consultation / What brings you to the consultation today?¿Cuál es el motivo de su consulta? / ¿Qué lo trae a la consulta el día de hoy?
How long has it been since your last visit?¿Hace cuánto no asistía a consulta?
With your insurance, you only need to make a co-payment Con su seguro solo tiene que hacer un copago
Are you currently experiencing pain?¿Tiene usted dolor?

We will then proceed to check youProcederemos entonces a revisarlo

Instructions for the Patient

Instructions for the patient once the clinical examination has begun or during the course of treatment.

EnglishSpanish
Please take a seat and lean back Por favor tome asiento y reclínese

Please open your mouthAbra la boca por favor
Move your head right/left Mueve tu cabeza a la derecha/izquierda
Move your tongue please Mueve tu lengua por favor
Rinse please Enjuágate por favor
Spit Escupe
Bite Muerde
You will feel a slight pinch Sentirás un ligero pinchazo
Do you feel discomfort or pain?¿Sientes molestia o dolor?

Dental Treatments

The most common treatments in the dental practice and for which the patient visits the dentist’s office.

EnglishSpanish
Fluoride treatmentAplicación de fluor
Teeth WhiteningBlanqueamiento dental
Teeth CleaningLimpieza dental

Sealants Sellantes
Fillings Restauraciones operatorias
Root CanalTratamiento de conducto / Endodoncia
Extraction – ExodonciaExtracción
Prosthetic restorationRestauración protésica

Dentist and Dentist Assistant Tools/Instrument Names

Basic tools used in dental practice and which in most cases are not disposable. The following is related to the most common biosafety equipment and treatment instruments.

EnglishSpanish
Surgical capGorro quirúrgico
Safety glasses Lentes de seguridad
Safety face shieldCareta
Surgical gown Bata quirúrgica
Bib Babero
Dental chairSilla dental
Dental unitUnidad dental
Triple syringeJeringa triple
Dental explorerExplorador
Mirror Espejo
Cotton pliersPinza algodonera
Periodontal probe Sonda periodontal
Dental impression tray Cubeta para impresión dental
HandpiecePieza de mano
TurbineTurbina
Micromotor Micromotor
ScalerLimpiador ultrasónico
Dental drill Taladro dental
Curing lampLámpara de fotocurado
UV safety glassesLentes de foto curado
Amalgamator Amalgamador
Resin spatulaEspátula para resina
Cement spatulaEspátula para cemento
Dappen glassVaso dappen
Glass tile Loseta de vidrio
Amalgam holderPorta amalgama
BurnishersBruñidores
Dental syringeJeringa dental

Materials and Disposables

We list the materials that are used in regular patient care, as well as those that are applied during treatment.

EnglishSpanish
Gloves Guantes
Face mask Mascarilla / Tapaboca / Cubreboca
Saliva ejector Eyector
Cotton Algodón
Gauze Gasa
Long/short needle Aguja larga/ corta
Anesthetic cartridgeCartucho de anestesia
Resin / Composite Resina / Composite
Amalgam Amalgama
Sealant Sellante
Physiological saline solution Suero fisiológico
Alginate Alginato

Names of Parts of the Mouth

What are the parts of the mouth? We include those that are visible and palpable on clinical examination.

EnglishSpanish
Mouth Boca
Lips Labios
Oropharynx Orofarínge
Tonsils Amígdalas
Uvula Úvula
Hard palate Paladar duro
Soft palate Paladar Blando
Labial frenulumFrenillo labial
Tongue Lengua
Gum Encía
Teeth Dientes
Tooth Diente

Types of Teeth

The names of teeth are mainly summarized in four categories: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

The actual names of the teeth are as follows:

EnglishSpanish
Incisors Incisivos
Central incisors Incisivos centrales
Central incisorIncisivo central
Lateral incisorsIncisivos laterales
Lateral incisor Incisivo lateral
Canines Caninos
CanineCanino
Premolars Premolares
First premolarPrimer premolar
Second premolarSegundo premolar
Molars Molares
First molar Primer molar
Second molar Segundo molar
Third molarTercer molar (Muela del juicio)

In Spanish, to specifically name a tooth we first place the name of the tooth, then the jawbone in which it is located and finally the orientation. For example: Incisivo central superior derecho.

Dental Anatomy and Related

Anatomy of teeth, internal and external parts as well as adjacent anatomical structures.

EnglishSpanish
Crown Corona
Cervical lineLínea cervical
Root Raíz
Enamel Esmalte
Cementum Cemento
Dentin Dentina
Pulp Pulpa
Pulp chamberCámara pulpar
Periodontal ligament Ligamento periodontal
Blood vesselsVasos sanguíneos
Nerve Nervio
Alveolus Alvéolo
Maxilla Maxilar superior
MandibleMaxilar inferior/Mandíbula

This blog post has provided a comprehensive overview of dental Spanish vocabulary, covering a wide range of topics from clinical examination to dental anatomy. This information can be helpful for both dental professionals and patients who are learning Spanish or who need to communicate with Spanish-speaking dental professionals.

It is important to note that the Spanish vocabulary used in dentistry can vary depending on the region, so it is always a good idea to double-check with a native speaker if you are unsure about a particular term. Additionally, some dental procedures may have different names in Spanish, so it is essential to be clear and concise when communicating with your dental professional.

Overall, learning the basics of dental Spanish vocabulary can help you to better understand and communicate with your dental professional, which can lead to better dental care and overall health.

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Disclaimer: The information found on this website is meant only to aid healthcare professionals who want to strengthen their Spanish skills to communicate with their Spanish-speaking patients, and not to be used as medical advice. Medical professionals should not rely on the content of this website to evaluate, diagnose or treat any health related condition.

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