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Requirements January 1998 until January 2003

1. Borrow X-ray photographs. Study the tooth structure. Look for decay. Then do the following:

(a) Use the X-rays as a guide to draw a lower molar. Label its parts and surfaces. Show surrounding structures such as bone and gum tissues.
(b) Show on your drawing where the nerves and blood vessels enter the tooth.
(c) Show on your drawing where bacterial plaque is most likely to be found.

2. Do the following:

(a) Tell or write about what causes dental decay and gum disease. Tell what each of the following does: bacterial plaque, sugars, and acid.
(b) Show that you can teach others the proper use of a toothbrush, dental floss, and disclosing wafers to clean bacterial plaque from your teeth.

3. Arrange for a visit with a dentist. Before going, ask if you can be given a dental examination and a plaque control demonstration. Afterward, ask questions about things you want to know. Then write a report on what the dentist does in a checkup examination.

4. Do TWO of the following:

(a) Name at least five instruments a dentist uses. On separate sheets of paper, draw them, label them, and explain how they are used.
(b) With the help of a dentist, prepare a dental plaster cast using a vibrator, mixing bowl, water measure, plaster measure, model plaster, spatula, and rubber mold.
(c) Keep a record of everything you eat for three days. Circle those that may provide the sugars needed for the bacterial plaque to make acid. List snacks that should not be eaten to maintain the best oral health.

5. Talk about all of the following. Then select one and prepare a written report:

(a) How fluorides help prevent tooth decay. The ways fluorides can be provided to the teeth.
(b) First aid for saving a tooth that has been knocked out.
(c) How the mouth is related to the rest of the body. Topics might include chewing, saliva, enzymes, nutrition, and speech.

6. Do TWO of the following:

(a) Make a model tooth of soap, clay, papier-mache, or wax. Using a string and a large hand brush, show proper toothbrushing and flossing to your troop or a school class.
(b) Make a poster on prevention of dental disease. Show the need for good oral health.
(c) Collect at least five advertisements for different toothpastes. List the claims that are made for each. Tell about the accuracy of the advertisements.
(d) Write a feature story for your school newspaper on proper care of teeth and gums.
(e) Make drawings and write about the progress of dental decay. Describe the types of dental fillings and treatments a dentist can use to repair dental decay problems..

7. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Report on careers in dentistry. What are the different specialties of dentistry and what do they do?
(b) Prepare a four-part outline on jobs in dentistry. Under the headings "Dentist", "Dental Hygienist", "Dental Assistant", and "Dental Laboratory Technician", list the kinds of duties, high school or college needed, costs of education, length of training, and other information to describe these jobs.

Requirements January 2003 until January 2007

1. Using X-ray (radiographic) films and with your counselor’s guidance, study the tooth structure and look for decay. Then do the following:

(a) Use the radiographs as a guide to draw a lower molar. Label its parts and surfaces. Show surrounding structures such as bone and gum tissues.
(b) Show on your drawing where the nerves and blood vessels enter the tooth.
(c) Show on your drawing where bacterial plaque is most likely to be found.

2. Do the following:

(a) Tell or write about what causes dental decay and gum disease. Tell what each of the following does: bacterial plaque, sugars, and acid.
(b) Tell the possible causes for traumatic tooth loss, describe the types of mouth guards used to help prevent tooth trauma, and list the athletic activities during which a person should wear a mouth guard.
(c) Explain the first aid procedure for saving a tooth that has been knocked out.

3. Arrange for a visit with a dentist. Before going, ask if you can be given a dental examination and a plaque control demonstration. Afterward, ask questions about things you want to know. Tell your counselor what the dentist does during a checkup examination.

4. Do TWO of the following:

(a) Name at least five instruments in five pieces of equipment a dentist uses.
(b) With the help of a dentist, prepare a dental plaster cast using a vibrator, mixing bowl, water measure, plaster measure, model stone, and spatula.
(c) Keep a record of everything you eat for three days. Circle those that may provide the sugars needed for the bacterial plaque to make acid. List snacks that you should avoid to help maintain the best oral health.

5. Discuss with your merit badge counselor the following:

(a) How fluorides help prevent tooth decay in the ways fluorides can be provided to the teeth.
(b) How the mouth is related to the rest of the body. Topics might include chewing, saliva, enzymes, nutrition, and speech.

6. Do TWO of the following:

(a) Make a model tooth of soap, clay, papier-mache, or wax. Using a string and a large hand brush, show proper toothbrushing and flossing procedures.
(b) Make a poster on prevention of dental disease. Show the need for good oral health.
(c) Collect at least five advertisements for different toothpastes. List the claims that are made for each. Tell about the accuracy of the advertisements.
(d) Write a feature story for your school newspaper on proper care of teeth and gums.
(e) Make drawings and write about the progress of dental decay. Describe the types of dental fillings and treatments a dentist can use to repair dental decay problems.

7. Do ONE of the following):

(a) Report on careers in dentistry. Tell about the different specialties of dentistry and briefly tell what each specialist does
(b) Choose a field in dentistry that interest you and tell your counselor why it interest you. Describe the education required and the cost of the training, and tell what specific duties would be required for someone in this field.

Requirements January 2007 until January 2010

1. Using X-ray (radiographic) films and with your counselor’s guidance, study the tooth structure and look for decay. Then do the following:

(a) Use the radiographs as a guide to draw a lower molar. Label its parts and surfaces. Show surrounding structures such as bone and gum tissues.
(b) Show on your drawing where the nerves and blood vessels enter the tooth.
(c) Show on your drawing where bacterial plaque is most likely to be found.

2. Do the following:

(a) Tell or write about what causes dental decay and gum disease. Tell what each of the following does: bacterial plaque, sugars, and acid.
(b) Tell the possible causes for traumatic tooth loss, describe the types of mouth guards used to help prevent tooth trauma, and list the athletic activities during which a person should wear a mouth guard.
(c) Explain the first aid procedure for saving a tooth that has been knocked out.

3. Arrange for a visit with a dentist. Before going, ask if you can be given a dental examination and a plaque control demonstration. Afterward, ask questions about things you want to know. Tell your counselor what the dentist does during a checkup examination.

4. Do TWO of the following:

(a) Name at least five instruments in five pieces of equipment a dentist uses.
(b) With the help of a dentist, prepare a dental plaster cast using a vibrator, mixing bowl, water measure, plaster measure, model stone, and spatula.
c) Keep a record of everything you eat for three days. Circle those that may provide the sugars needed for the bacterial plaque to make acid. List snacks that you should avoid to help maintain the best oral health.

5. Discuss with your merit badge counselor the following:

(a) How fluorides help prevent tooth decay in the ways fluorides can be provided to the teeth.
(b) How the mouth is related to the rest of the body. Topics might include chewing, saliva, enzymes, nutrition, and speech.

6. Do TWO of the following:

(a) Make a model tooth of soap, clay, papier-mache, or wax. Using a string and a large hand brush, show proper toothbrushing and flossing procedures.
(b) Make a poster on prevention of dental disease. Show the need for good oral health.
(c) Collect at least five advertisements for different toothpastes. List the claims that are made for each. Tell about the accuracy of the advertisements.
(d) Write a feature story for your school newspaper on proper care of teeth and gums.
(e) Make drawings and write about the progress of dental decay. Describe the types of dental fillings and treatments a dentist can use to repair dental decay problems.

7. Find out about three career opportunities in dentistry. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.