Dentistry

Treatment of periodontal disease in all patients is prudent, and the use of analgesia, including general anesthesia, is essential to the comprehensive treatment plan.

Oral disease is one of the most prevalent diseases in dogs and cats, yet 80% of companion animals do not receive dental care at the veterinary hospital. Read more on how to incorporate dental care inside and out of the hospital.

Dental radiography is recommended whenever examination of the oral cavity reveals missing teeth and extraction is preferred to avoid cyst development and subsequent bone/tissue destruction. The author takes you through this case step-by-step.

REDUCING WMSD FACTORS Participatory ergonomics ensures both the operator and patient are comfortable. Participatory ergonomics has been defined as “the involvement of people in planning and controlling a significant amount of their own work activities, with sufficient knowledge and power to influence both processes and outcomes in order to achieve desirable goals,” according to Higgnett …

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are occurring daily in our veterinary profession.2,3 According to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA’s) Introduction to Ergonomics, it’s likely these types of work-related injuries cause physical and economic hardships on personnel and veterinary practices. WMSDs may be preventable and risks factors minimized if veterinary professionals evaluate their working environment through …

This article provides an overview of rabbit dentistry. Topics discussed include anatomy and physiology of the oral cavity; causes, clinical signs, and treatment of dental disease; diagnostic modalities; and prevention of dental disease.

As with cats and dogs, periodontal disease in ferrets may go unnoticed by owners; therefore, many ferrets end up silently suffering from oral pain. Although it may be a challenging task, all ferrets need an annual oral examination, and ferret owners need education on oral care for their pet.

Treatment of periodontal disease typically involves tooth extraction. However, in some circumstances, the client may wish to avoid extraction. Learn about some of the alternative periodontal therapies.

Pain management is also a critical component of a comprehensive dental service. This article gives an overview of the physiology of pain, offers a discussion of a variety of analgesic agents, and provides information to help create an effective pain management protocol for dental patients.

Congratulations! You have decided to improve the dental services your practice offers to pet owners by becoming an advocate for pets’ oral health.