DENTAL CONVERSATION

1. First conversation: Patient: Hi. Dr. Jim? Dentist: So, what's seems to be the problem today? Patient: Well, I just came in for a check up and a dental cleaning. Dentist:Open up,please. Let's take a look... Patient: Okay. Dentist:Ohh ! I've never seen

Dentist: Well, besides a lot of plaque buildup, there is a major cavity in one of your wisdom teeth. [I feel that.] Hasn't this given you any trouble?plaquecavitywisdom teeth Patient: Well, the tooth has been bothering me, and it sometimes hurts when I drink something cold. Does it look that bad? Dentist: Well, we're going to remove the decay, and then we'll either put afilling in, or if the decay is extensive, we can't repair it, we might have to put a crown on your tooth. Or as a last resort, we may have to extract the tooth.decayfillingextensivecrownextract Patient: Uh, well, that sounds painful!

Dentist: Don't worry. I've done this... once before? Nah, just relax. Patient: Wait! Aren't you suppose to give me something to dull the pain?dull Dentist: Uh, chicken. Oh yeah. I almost forgot. We can either use a local anesthetic or nitrous oxide... laughing gas... to minimize the discomfort you might feel.local anestheticnitrous oxidediscomfort Patient: I can't stand pain, and I'd rather not be aware of what's going on. And, if I need a filling, can I get one that looks like my other teeth?

Dentist: If we can save the tooth with a filling, I recommend a high-strength silver alloy filling instead of a porcelain one. It'll probably last longer.alloyporcelain Patient: Okay, well whatever. Let's get it over with. Dentist: Okay, pleasant dreams.

Key vocabulary: plaque (noun): a substance that builds up around teeth that can damage them - Brushing with toothpaste can help remove plaque. cavity (noun): tooth decay - If you take care of your teeth, you can reduce the risk of having cavities. wisdom tooth (noun): the last of your back teeth to come in - The dentist removed one of my wisdom teeth because it was bothering me.

decay (noun, also verb): the gradual process of the tooth going bad, sometimes caused by poor dental care and eating habits - If the decay in the tooth is not removed, it could lead to a serious problem. filling (noun): a substance inserted into a tooth to repair a cavity - I need to get one of my fillings replaced because it came out yesterday. extensive (adjective): large in extent, range, or scope - Researchers have conducted extensive studies on the causes and prevention of tooth decay.

crown (noun): a metal covering over the enamel-covered part of a tooth - The dentist suggested putting a crown on the tooth since the cavity would have been too difficult to repair with a filling. extract (verb): remove - The dentist extracted the decayed tooth without a problem. dull (verb, also adjective): numb or make insensitive, deaden feeling - I was shocked that the dentist didn't give me anything to dull the pain.

discomfort (noun): pain or an uncomfortable feeling associated with a part of the body - I went to the dentist because I felt a great deal of discomfort in one of my teeth. porcelain (noun): made of semitransparent ceramic - Porcelain fillings may be used to fill cavities, depending on the severity and location of the cavity, as well as the patient's preference.

local anesthetic (noun): a drug used to dull the body`s senses from pain in a specific area - The dentist used a local anesthetic on the patient before she extracted the tooth. nitrous oxide (noun): a gas inhaled as an anesthetic in dentistry and surgery - Sometimes, dentists use nitrous oxide on patients when more extensive dental work is required or to help patients relax during certain procedures.

2.Sample Conversation Doctor:How are you feeling today? Patient:A bit better. Doctor:That's good to hear. Are you still feeling nauseous? Patient:No, I haven't felt sick to my stomach since you switched my medication.

Doctor:Great. Say, your test results came in this morning. Patient:It's about time. Is it good news or bad? Doctor:I guess it's a bit of both. Which do you want first? Patient:Let's get the bad news over with. Doctor:Okay. It looks like you're going to need surgery to remove the tumor from your leg.

After the operation you're going to have to stay off your feet for at least three weeks. That means no soccer. Patient:I was afraid you were going to say that. Doctor:Now for the good news.

The biopsy shows that the tumor is benign, which means it's not cancerous. We're going to take it out anyway just to be on the safe side. Patient:Wow, that's a load off my mind. ThanksDoctor.

Doctor:Don't get too excited. We still need to get to the bottom of all of this weight loss. Patient:I've probably just been so worried about this stupid lump.

Doctor:These things often are stress related, but we're still going to do a few blood tests just to rule a few things out. Patient:Things like what? Cancer? Doctor:Actually, I'm thinking more along the lines of a food allergy.

3.Conversation: Dental Check-up Sam: Hello, Doctor. Dr. Peterson: Good morning, Sam. How are you doing today? Sam: I'm OK. I've been having some gum pain recently. Dr. Peterson: Well, we'll take a look. Please recline and open your mouth.... that's good. Sam:(after being examined) How does it look? Dr. Peterson: Well, there is some inflammation of the gums. I think we should also do a new set of X-rays.

Sam: Why do you say that? Is something wrong? Dr. Peterson: No, no, it's just standard procedure every year. It looks like you may have a few cavities as well. Sam: That's not good news.... hmmm Dr. Peterson: There are just two and they look superficial. Sam: I hope so. Dr. Peterson: We need to take X-rays to identify tooth decay, as well as check for decay between the teeth.

Sam: I see. Dr. Peterson: Here, put on this protective apron. Sam: OK. Dr. Peterson: (after taking the X-rays) Things look good. I don't see any evidence of further decay. Sam: That's good news! Dr. Peterson: Yes, I'll just get these two fillings drilled and taken care of and then we'll get your teeth cleaned.

Joint Pain Patient: Good morning. Doctor Smith? Doctor: Yes, please come in. Patient: Thank you. My name is John Smith. Doctor: What have you come in for today Ms John? Patient: I've been having some pain in my joints, especially the knees. Doctor: How long have you been having the pain?

Patient: I'd say it started three or four months ago. It's been getting worse recently. Doctor: Are you having any other problems like weakness, fatigue or headaches? Patient: Well I've certainly felt under the weather. Doctor: Right. How much physical activity do you get? Do you play any sports? Patient: Some. I like to play tennis about once a week. I take my dog on a walk every morning. Doctor: OK. Let's have a look. Can you point to the area where you are having pain?