The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word DENTISTRY
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
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More clues leading to the result DENTISTRY
- Work done on bridge, perhaps damaged its end with crack
- Evidence of mishap is leading attempt to provide medical treatment
- Work on set is requiring effort after evidence of blow
- I’d sent off essay, painful work?
- Finding crater on island, attempt practice with canines
- Boring, excruciating test in filling?
- Impress with one’s effort putting on crown, for example
- It’s trendy to work around canines?
- Specialist medical subject involving oral examinations
- Medical work is strain with depression coming early
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The straight part
We know that "painful work?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case painful work? = dentistry.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DENTISTRY mean?
DENTISTRY noun- The field of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the teeth and oral cavity.
- Operations performed on teeth and adjoining areas such as drilling, filling cavities and placing crowns and bridges.
- A dental surgery, an operation on the teeth.
- A place where dental operations are performed. (Not as common as "dentist's office". Compare surgery.)