Glossary


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D

Debilitating

When health is being adversely affected

Decriminalisation

The act of ceasing to treat an action as criminal

Defaecating

The act of discharging faeces from the body

Dementia

A chronic or persistent disorder of behaviour and higher intellectual function due to organic brain disease

Dental dam

A rubberised oral shield

Depression

A mental state characterised by excessive sadness

DES

Diethylstilbestrol - this was a synthetic form of oestrogen which was used in the 1950s and 1960s to stabilise problem pregnancies. It was later found to have an adverse effect on the foetus and was discontinued.

Diabetes

Any disorder of metabolism with excessive thirst and the production of large volumes of urine

Dialysis

A method of separating particles of different dimensions in a liquid mixture

Discharge

Emission

Disclosure

The act of revealing, making something known

Discrimination

Unfavourable treatment based on prejudice. e.g.: sexuality, ethnic minority, age

Dormant

Lying inactive as in sleep

Dysfunction

An abnormality or impairment which affects how something would work