歯科

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: In 歯科 (しか), tooth 歯 and department 科 combine to denote dentistry.
• Basic usage: 歯科 can denote dentistry as a specialty or the clinic or department providing dental care.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Dental specialty and clinic
  • 歯科を can mark the department visited, while 歯科の links it to treatment, a dentist, or another related noun.