Meaning: 'Concerned' means being involved or related to something, in this case, the prevention and treatment of oral diseases.

Wrong options:

• agreed: 'Agreed' implies consensus or acceptance, which does not fit the context of describing a profession's focus.
• dealt: 'Dealt' suggests handling or managing, but it lacks the specific connection to the field of dentistry that 'concerned' provides.
• taken: 'Taken' does not convey the appropriate relationship to the profession; it suggests possession rather than involvement in a field.

Correct answer: practiced

Explanation: The word 'practiced' is the correct choice as it indicates that dentistry has been actively carried out since ancient times. This fits both grammatically and contextually, as it describes the ongoing nature of the profession.

Meaning: 'Practiced' means to carry out or perform a profession or activity regularly, indicating that dentistry has a long history of being performed.

Wrong options:

• criticized: 'Criticized' implies negative feedback, which does not align with the historical context of dentistry's practice.
• replaced: 'Replaced' suggests that dentistry has been substituted by something else, which contradicts the idea of its continuous practice.
• abandoned: 'Abandoned' indicates that dentistry was left behind or discontinued, which is not the case as it has been consistently practiced.

Correct answer: drilled

Explanation: The word 'drilled' is appropriate as it describes the action taken to create holes in the jaw to drain abscesses. This fits grammatically and contextually, as it directly relates to the historical dental practices mentioned.

Meaning: 'Drilled' means to make a hole in something using a tool, specifically referring to the method used to treat dental issues in ancient times.

Wrong options:

• fluctuated: 'Fluctuated' means to vary or change, which does not apply to the action of creating holes in the jaw.
• laminated: 'Laminated' refers to a process of layering materials, which is irrelevant in the context of dental treatment.
• sealed: 'Sealed' implies closing something off, which contradicts the action of creating holes for drainage.

Correct answer: replacement

Explanation: The word 'replacement' is the correct choice as it refers to the act of substituting missing teeth with animal teeth. This fits both grammatically and contextually, as it describes a historical dental practice.

Meaning: 'Replacement' means to substitute something that is missing or lost, in this case, referring to the practice of replacing lost teeth.

Wrong options:

• reparation: 'Reparation' refers to making amends or compensating for a wrong, which does not fit the context of dental practices.
• sacrament: 'Sacrament' is a religious term that does not relate to the act of replacing teeth.
• restitution: 'Restitution' implies restoring something to its original state, which is not the same as the act of replacing missing teeth.