| |
Continuing Education Updates -
Dentistry
 On
Tuesday, November 18, we closed our
door for the afternoon to present a
lecture and wet lab for our
technicians and doctors. Dr. Paul
Mitchell, a boarded veterinary
specialist in dentistry (AVCD), came
to discuss the importance of dental
health and recent advances in
veterinary dentistry. Dr. Mitchell
did a 3 year dental residency in
Dallas, Texas, and has spoken
national and internationally on
veterinary dentistry. He is the
author of Small Animal Dentistry.
Dr. Mitchell provided an educational
lecture and then conducted a
hands-on session reviewing dental
cleaning techniques and providing
instruction in dental x-ray
techniques, sub gingival scaling,
and root scaling. Staff members
whose pets needed of dental care
were patients for the wet lab.
Dr. Mitchell said that dental
disease can lead to tooth loss, oral
pain, and systemic disease. He
emphasized the risk to major organs
such as the heart, the kidneys, and
the liver when dental disease is
present. The chronic showering of
bacteria from diseased teeth and
gums can cause damage and disease in
these organs. The chronic
inflammatory effect of dental
disease has an adverse effect on the
entire body.
He recommends that dogs should have
their gums and teeth monitored
regularly. It’s best to maintain a
healthy mouth by brushing your pet’s
teeth daily and intervening early in
gingival disease. Dental cleanings
at the first sign of tartar build-up
or gingivitis will help prevent the
development of more significant
dental disease.
The take home message is that early
intervention can prevent oral
disease, loss of teeth, and help
maintain a healthy body.
|
Helpful Information
