Refers to the academic discipline or science of dentistry, often used in formal or educational contexts. Compare with 歯学, which is a broader term for dental science.
See also: 歯学
He is majoring in dentistry at university.
Compound of 歯 (tooth) + 科学 (science), literally 'tooth science'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term follows standard Sino-Japanese word formation patterns.