Dentistry Merit Badge

Overview

Teeth do a lot more than just peek out from under that winning smile. They have all sorts of duties, and having healthy teeth will help a person to eat, speak, and look great.

Requirements

(1) Using X-ray (radiographic) films or images and with your counselor’s guidance, do the following:
- (a) Study the tooth structure and look for decay.
  
  Resources: X-Rays for Cavities (video)
- (b) Draw a lower molar, using the radiographs as a guide. Label its parts and surfaces. Show surrounding structures such as bone and gum tissues.
- (c) Show on your drawing where the nerves and blood vessels enter and leave the tooth.
- (d) 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 how each of the following contributes to dental decay and gum disease: bacterial plaque, sugars, and acid.
  
  Resources: What Causes Cavities? (video), What Causes Tooth Decay? (video)
- (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.
  
  Resources: The Three Most Common Dental Injuries in Sports and How To Prevent Them (website), Why Is Having a Mouthguard Important? (video), Which Sports Require Mouth Guards? (website)
- (c) Explain the first-aid procedure for saving a tooth that has been knocked out.
  
  Resources: Knocked Out Teeth | First Aid (video)
- (d) Discuss how the use of tobacco products can negatively affect your oral health.
  
  Resources: What Does Smoking Do To Your Teeth? (video), Vaping & Your Teeth—The Hidden Damage You Need to Know! (video)
(3) Arrange for a visit with a dentist. Before you go, ask whether your visit can include a dental examination and a plaque-control demonstration. Afterward, ask questions about things you want to know. Then tell your counselor what the dentist does during a checkup examination.
(4) Do TWO of the following:
- (a) Name at least five instruments and five pieces of equipment a dentist uses.
  
  Resources: 12 Essential Dental Instruments Every Dentist Needs (video), Dental Tools Used During a Teeth Cleaning—EXPLAINED! (video)
- (b) With the help of a dentist, prepare a dental stone cast using a vibrator, a mixing bowl, a water measure, a plastic measure, model stone, and a spatula.
  
  Resources: Mixing and Pouring Dental Stone (video)
- (c) Keep a record of everything you eat for three days. Circle those items that may provide the sugars that bacterial plaque needs to make acid. List snacks that you should avoid to help maintain the best oral health.
  
  Resources: Diet Diary (PDF)
(5) Discuss with your counselor the following:
- (a) How fluorides help prevent tooth decay and the ways fluorides can be provided to the teeth.
  
  Resources: Fluoride: The Superhero of Cavity Fighting (video)
- (b) How the mouth is related to the rest of the body. Topics might include chewing, saliva, enzymes, nutrition, and speech.
  
  Resources: Digestion in the Mouth (video), Oral Health Is Not Just About the Mouth (video), Your Mouth and Your Heart Are More Connected Than You Think (video)
(6) Do TWO of the following:
- (a) Make a model tooth out of soap, clay, paper-mache, or wax. Using a string and a large hand brush, show your troop or a school class proper tooth-brushing and flossing procedures.
  
  Resources: Very Easy Teeth Model Making Using Clay(Play-Doh™) (video), How To Brush Your Teeth (video), How To Floss Your Teeth (video)
- (b) Make a poster on the prevention of dental disease. Show the importance of good oral health.
  
  Resources: The Perfect Oral Health Care Routine (3 Easy Steps in Order) (video)
- (c) Collect at least five advertisements for different toothpastes. List the claims that each one makes. Tell about the accuracy of the advertisements.
- (d) Write a feature story for your school newspaper on the proper care of teeth and gums. Include in your story how the use of tobacco products can negatively affect a person’s oral health.
- (e) Make drawings and write about the progress of dental decay. Describe the types of dental filling and treatments a dentist can use to repair dental decay problems.
  
  Resources: Tooth Decay Progression | 3D Animation (video)
(7) Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge in dentistry. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career.

Resources: Dental Hygienist Spotlight | Exploring Dental Careers (video), Dental Assistant Spotlight | Exploring Dental Careers (video), Join the Dental Workforce: Becoming a Dental Technician (video), Career as a Dentist (video), Careers in Dentistry—Dental Receptionist (video), Master of Science in Dental Materials (video)

Resources

Note: This is an unofficial archive of Scouts BSA Merit Badges that was automatically extracted from the Scouting America website and may contain errors.