Overview
EN ISO 1942:2020 - Dentistry: Vocabulary (ISO 1942:2020) is the international/CEN-adopted terminology standard that defines terms used in dental product and dentistry-related standards. Published as the third edition in 2020, it provides a systematic, standardized vocabulary to support the development, interpretation and harmonization of dental standards and to improve communication with organizations such as the FDI World Dental Federation and the World Health Organization.
Key Topics
This vocabulary standard groups terminology by practical areas of dentistry and standardization responsibility. Major topic areas include:
- Dental terminology and general terms - anatomical concepts (e.g., crown, enamel, dentine), branches of dentistry, clinical and occupational terms.
- Materials - restorative and orthodontic materials, endodontic materials, luting cements, resin-based sealants, amalgam/mercury references.
- Prosthodontics - dental ceramics, impression materials, casting alloys, denture base polymers, artificial teeth.
- Instruments and equipment - rotary instruments, handpieces, hand instruments, endodontic instruments, dental equipment categories.
- Oral care and implants - terminology for consumer oral-care products and dental implant-related terms.
- Structure and guidance - Annex A explains inclusion/exclusion criteria and the document’s arrangement to help users understand and apply the vocabulary in standards development.
Note: ISO 1942:2020 contains no normative references and is intended primarily as a reference vocabulary rather than a technical performance standard.
Practical Applications
- Standard development: Serves as the primary reference cited in many ISO dental standards (frequently referenced in Clause 2), ensuring consistent term usage across documents.
- Regulatory and compliance work: Helps regulators and conformity assessment bodies interpret dental product standards consistently.
- Manufacturers and product developers: Ensures consistent naming and classification of devices, materials and test concepts used in technical files and labeling.
- Clinicians, educators and researchers: Provides unambiguous definitions for clinical terminology, facilitating clearer communication in publications, training and cross-border collaboration.
- Translators and technical writers: Aids accurate translation and harmonized wording across English, French, German and national language versions adopted by CEN members.
Who should use it
- Standards committees (ISO/TC 106, CEN/TC 55)
- Dental product manufacturers and R&D teams
- Regulatory authorities and notified bodies
- Dental laboratories, professional associations and academic institutions
- Technical translators and documentation specialists
Related resources
- ISO Online Browsing Platform (for official ISO entries)
- CEN national standards bodies (for the EN-adopted text and national status)
- Annex A of ISO 1942:2020 for guidance on term inclusion and structure
Using EN ISO 1942:2020 ensures consistent, internationally recognized dental terminology, improving clarity in standards, regulation, product documentation and professional communication.