Category: D
-
Dental assistant
An individual who assists a dentist at the chairside in a dental operatory performs reception and clerical functions, and carries out dental radiography and selected dental laboratory work. The actual number of active dental assistants is not known since most dentists train and employ dental assistants who are neither certified nor registered as members of…
-
Demand or demand schedule
In health economics, the varying amount of a good or service sought at varying prices, given constant income and other factors. Demand must be distinguished from utilization (the amount of services actually used), and need (for various reasons services are often sought which either the consumer or provider feel are unneeded). It is not always…
-
Deficiency disease
Any specific disease or pathological state, with characteristic clinical signs, that is due to an insufficient intake of energy or essential nutrients; it is usually of dietary origin and can often be prevented or cured by bringing the intake up to an adequate level or otherwise changing the diet. A disease caused by lack of…
-
Deferral of budget authority
In the Federal budget, any action or inaction of the executive branch, including the establishment of reserves under the Antideficiency Act, which temporarily withholds, delays, or effectively precludes the obligation or expenditure of budget authority. Under section 1013 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. the President is required to report each…
-
Debt service
The payment of matured interest on and principal of debts; the amount needed, supplied, or accrued for meeting such payments during any given accounting period; a budget or operating statement heading for such items.
-
Data set
A minimum aggregation of uniformily defined and classified statistics that describe an element, episode or aspect of health care, e.g. Si hospital admission, ambulatory encounter, or a physician or hospital. Such data sets are used for evaluation, research and similar purposes. A specified set of items of information. The data set for a person’s address,…
-
Hemodipsia
Desire to drink blood.
-
Dysphylaxia
Waking too early.
-
Dysperistalsis
Painful or abnormal contractions of tubular organs, especially of the digestive system.
-
Dysosmia
Impaired sense of smell. Condition in which the sense of smell is impaired.