22 VETERINARY PRACTICE GUIDELINES
TABLE 1 Definitions that Pertain to Dental Guidelines* Term
Definition Dental chart Dental prophylaxis Dentistry Endodontics A written and graphical representation of the mouth, with adequate space to indicate pathology and procedures(see Table 5 for included items)
A procedure performed on a healthy mouth that includes oral hygiene care, a complete oral examination, and techniques to prevent disease and to remove plaque and calculus from the teeth above and beneath the gum line before periodontitis has developed
The evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of abnormalities in the oral cavity, maxillofacial area, and/or associated structures. Nonsur- gical, surgical, or related procedures may be included
The treatment and therapy of diseases of the pulp canal system
Exodontia (extraction) A surgical procedure performed to remove a tooth Gingivitis
Oral surgery Orthodontics
Inflammation of the gingiva without loss of the supporting structure(s) shown with X-ray The surgical invasion and manipulation of hard and soft tissue to improve/restore oral health and comfort The evaluation and treatment of malpositioned teeth for the purposes of improving occlusion and patient comfort and enhancing the quality of life
Periodontal disease A disease process that begins with gingivitis and progresses to periodontitis when left untreated Periodontitis
Periodontal surgery Periodontal therapy Periodontium
Pocket
A destructive process involving the loss of supportive structures of the teeth, including the periodontium, gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, and/or alveolar bone
The surgical treatment of periodontal disease. This is indicated for patients with pockets . 5 mm, class II or III furcation exposure, or inaccessible areas
Treatment of tooth-supporting structures where periodontal disease exists. This involves the nonsurgical removal of plaque, calculus, and debris in pockets; and the local application of antimicrobials
The supporting structures of the teeth, including the periodontal ligament, gingiva, cementum, and alveolar and supporting bone A pathologic space between supporting structures and the tooth, extending apically from the normal site of the gingival epithelial attachment
*Some of these definitions were derived from descriptions in Holmstrom et al. (2004).3 The dental health care team is obligated to practice within the
scope of their respective education, training, and experience. It is imperative that the dental health care team remains current with regard to oral care, operative procedures, materials, equip- ment, and products. The team members must attain appropri- ate continuing education through courses such as those offered by the American Animal Hospital Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the annual Veterinary Dental Forum, industry and private facilities; by reading the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry; and by reading other appropriate journals and medical texts.3–7
Facility Requirements Dental procedures result in aerosolized bacteria and par-
ticulate matter. Using a dedicated space is recommended for nonsterile dental procedures. The dedicated dental space must be separate from the sterile surgical suite and needs to be placed in a low-traffic area. New practices and those planning
Trends magazine, April 2013
on remodeling should incorporate a separate dental suite into the blueprint. Appropriate ventilation and anesthetic scavenging systems
must also be used. Low-heat, high-intensity lighting, and equipment for magnifying the target area are required to ade- quately and safely visualize the oral cavity and its structures. The operating table must allow for drainage and be constructed of impervious, cleanable material.
Materials, Instruments, and Equipment As with dental techniques, it is important to keep the dental
materials up-to-date and veterinarians must be aware of what materials are considered appropriate for the treatment of dental conditions. Commonly used materials can be found by consult- ing a dental text and attending continuing education programs presented by a dental specialist. Instruments and dental equipment require routine and fre- quent maintenance. Maintenance information can be found in
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