(しか)

しか
noun
dentistry, dental clinic
1. dentistry, dental clinic, dental department
The branch of medicine dealing with teeth and oral health, or a clinic or department specializing in dental care.
歯科(しか)検診(けんしん)()けた。
I had a checkup at the dentist.
()(いた)いので歯科(しか)予約(よやく)した。
My tooth hurts, so I made an appointment at the dental clinic.
半年(はんとし)一度(いちど)歯科(しか)定期(ていき)検診(けんしん)()けるようにしている。
I make sure to get a regular dental checkup once every six months.

USAGE:
In everyday speech, 歯科(しか) and 歯医者(はいしゃ) (dentist) are often used interchangeably when referring to a dental clinic. 歯科(しか) is slightly more formal and refers to the discipline or department, while 歯医者(はいしゃ) is more colloquial and refers to the dentist or the office.

RELATED MEDICAL DEPARTMENTS:

  • 眼科(がんか): ophthalmology
  • 皮膚科(ひふか): dermatology
  • 内科(ないか): internal medicine
  • 外科(げか): surgery

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 歯科医(しかい): dentist (formal)
  • 歯科(しか)衛生士(えいせいし): dental hygienist
  • 歯科(しか)検診(けんしん): dental checkup
  • 歯科(しか)治療(ちりょう): dental treatment