1 SURVEY- Survey is a non-experimental type of research that attempts to gather

information about the status-quo for a large number of cases for describing
present conditions without directly analysing their causes.
2 INDEX- it is defined as a numerical value describing the relative status of a
population
On a graduated scale with definite upper and lower limits which is designed to
permit and facilitate comparison with other populations classified by the same
criteria and methods. Given by A.L.RUSSEL
3 CASE HISTORY- It is a planned professional conversation that enables the
patient to communicate their symptoms, feelings and fear to the clinician, so that
the nature of the patients real or suspected illness and mental attitudes may be
determined.
4 HABITS- defined as the tendency towards an act that has become a repeated
performance, relatively fixed, consistent and easy to perform by an individual.

OCCLUSION- Angle defined occlusion as the normal relation of the occlusal

inclined planes of the teeth when the jaws are closed.
Indian dental academy- occlusion is defined as the relationship of the maxillary
and mandibular teeth when the jaws are closed in centric relation without strain
of musculature or displacement of condyles in their fossae.

1 PREMALIGNANT LESIONS AND CONDITIONS-

a) Premalignant lesions- defined as morphologically altered tissue in which cancer
is more likely to occur than its apparently normal counterpart- given WHO 1978
e.g leukoplakia
b) Precancerous condition- defined as a generalized state associated with a
significantly increased risk of cancer e.g lichen planus, submucous fibrosis,
sideropenic dysphagia..
2 LEUKOPLAKIA- a predominantly white lesion of the oral mucosa that cannot be
characterized as any other definable lesion. Some oral leukoplakia will transform into
cancer.
3 OSMF-GIVEN BY Pindborg in 1966-> defined as an insidious chronic disease
affecting any part of the oral cavity and sometimes the pharynx, although occasionally
preceded by or associated with vesicle formation, it is always associated with juxta-
epithelial inflammatory reaction followed by a fibroelastic change of the lamina propria
with epithelial atrophy leading to a stiffness of mucosa causing trismus and inability to
eat.
Aka-> atrophia idiopathica oris
3 PAIN- is described as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated
with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage.
dentistry: The evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related
procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the
adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body; provided by a dentist,
within the scope of his/her education, training and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the
profession and applicable law.

orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics: Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is the dental
specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion, as
well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures.

oral and maxillofacial surgery: Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty of dentistry which
includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving
both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial
region.

dental prosthesisAny device or appliance replacing one or more missing teeth and/or, if required,
associated structures. (This is a broad term which includes abutment crowns and abutment
inlays/onlays, bridges, dentures, obturators, gingival prostheses.)

prosthodontics: Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment

planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of
patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial
tissues using biocompatible substitutes.

Shafer (1993) defined dental caries as an irreversible microbial disease of the calcified
tissues of the teeth, characterized by demineralization of the inorganic portion and
destruction of the organic substance of the tooth, which often leads to cavitation.