Prophylaxis
Pronunciation: proh-fih-LAK-sis
In dental practice, a professional cleaning procedure performed to remove plaque, calculus, and stain from the teeth to prevent periodontal disease and caries.
Full Definition
Dental prophylaxis refers to the professional scaling and polishing of tooth surfaces, typically performed by a dentist or hygienist, as a preventive measure against periodontal disease and tooth decay. In billing and insurance documentation, it is commonly coded and abbreviated as 'prophy'. Editors should be aware that 'prophylaxis' in a medical context has a broader meaning (prevention of disease generally), so the dental sense must be confirmed by context. The plural is 'prophylaxes'. Antibiotic prophylaxis — the administration of antibiotics before dental treatment to prevent infective endocarditis — is a distinct and importantly different use of the term that also appears in dental records.
Usage
Usage note: Disambiguate between 'dental prophylaxis' (cleaning) and 'antibiotic prophylaxis' (preventive medication) when context is unclear. Expand 'prophy' in formal documents.
In Context
- "A prophylaxis was completed at the recall appointment, with no new carious lesions detected." — Dental recall treatment note
- "Antibiotic prophylaxis was prescribed prior to the extraction due to the patient's cardiac history." — Medical history and risk assessment form