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Dental/Oral Care at Russell Vale Animal Clinic

We often get people calling up for a "quote for a grade 2 dental" - these people have been to ABC veterinary centre, and were told that their pet needs a "dental", the people are shocked, but then ring around to get the cheapest price for a "dental" -  As we DON"T do "dentals", but DO perform complete oral cavity examinations, assessment, and treatment, it is hard for us to give a quote on a "dental".  As we don't just look on the brown stuff on the tooth surface, and as we know that white clean teeth can have significant disease (see photos below),  we can't help you if you just want a "dental quote".

BUT, we can help you help your pet better.  As quotes on dentistry are not not easy to give as your pet has 42 teeth (if a dog) or 30 (if a cat), and we need to probe, examine, assess, radiograph each tooth to determine if any disease is present, we hate giving a price, and then finding out that there was much more disease in the mouth than was previously thought, and as such is going to be higher than the quote given! -  But, we all want a guide on what to expect, so we ask that you can bring your pet in for us to perform a sconscious dental check, so we can go through what may need to be done, and give you an upfront list of prices  - that we can do.

When you then sit down and compare quotes, compare apples to apples - which -  unfortunately,  is impossible to do in the Illawarra as some veterinary hospitals are unable to do on site pre - anaesthetic blood testing, and only one other has a similar anaesthetic monitoring equipment (Surgivet Advisor).  Do not let our small size fool you - we choose to be small so we can provide individualised care to our patients.  But other than that, what else do we do that makes us stand out from the crowd?

1. Dental Checks (i.e full conscious Oral Cavity Examinations) of all of our registered pets at least twice a year (for FREE) which includes brushing of your pet's teeth (if they allow it), and useful information on how to keep your pet's mouth healthy.
2. Digital intra oral dental radiographs, as well as diagnostic (i.e useful) interpretation of these films (and if there are questions on the pathology seen, I consult with veterinary dentists within Australia as well as worldwide through VIN).  At the time of writing, we are the ONLY veterinary hospital within the Illawarra providing routine intra oral dental radiographs.
3. Complete and Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment under General Anaesthesia (COHAT) which is the worldwide GOLD standard of veterinary dental work. (this incorporates the Australian Veterinary Dental Society Guidelines on Dental Care)

4. Our knowledge that nice clean teeth may have disease, and teeth with lots of tartar may be perfectly healthy underneath.

Anyway, let's start at the beginning -  Not sure what your pet's dental grade is?  Neither do we until your pet is examined under a General Anaesthetic. However, a rough guide can be determined during a conscious oral examination. That is why we would like to see your pet first.
We perform dentistry procedures not only to prevent, but to treat existing mouth disease. This can only be done through a thorough, logical and consistent approach from all carers of your pet. Our protocol is based on proven best practice.

1.      On admission into hospital, your pet receives a full examination including blood tests, is given a sedating injection, and intravenous fluids are started, before being given a full General Anaesthetic.  The pre-anaesthetic blood profile - we analyse six biochemical enzymes (ALP, ALT (liver), urea, creatinine (kidney/muscle), glucose, TP (protein = hydration), and PCV (blood count).

 

2.       Your pet's mouth is fully examined under anaesthetic. A plaque test is done, and your pet's mouth is "dental charted".

Both the photograph and the radiograph are from the same dog. The Dental examination indicated a problem, which the radiograph indicated the severity of it.
3.       Digital dental Radiographs may be taken of your pet's mouth (in all pets who have never had any dental work with us previously, will get full intraoral dental radiographs as a minimum - this is included in our Grade 2 price) . Local anaesthetic and an antibiotic injection is also administered at this time.


Your pet's anaesthetic monitoring is assisted by our Advisor monitor (Blood pressure, pulse oximetry, endTidal C02, core body temperature, ECG ( similar to a human operating theatre).
 
4.      Based on the dental chart and the radiographs, a "dental plan" is formulated for your pet. At this point, the local anaesthetic has taken effect.
 
5.      Extractions (any oral surgery) are done only with your permission, or if it is viewed to be in the best interest of your pet. Post-extraction radiographs may be taken.
 

6.      Your pet's teeth are cleaned using quality hand instruments, a P5 ultrasonic low heat scaler, polished with a low speed handpiece and dentrifice, and then finished with a raspberry flavoured fluoride treatment.

 

7.      Aftercare notes are formulated for you, and an individual home care dental plan is recommended.  
 

Our extraction techniques are designed to minimise soft tissue trauma, reduce complications, and ensure that the entire tooth comes out (no roots are left behind).
 

We follow the Australian Veterinary Dental Guidelines in Dentistry and Treatment of Periodontal disease (2007), which are the minimum standard of dental care that vets should provide.

 
When you ask your vet about dental care or about getting your pet?s teeth cleaned under anaesthesia, why not ask the following questions?
�         Who is actually going to do the procedure on my pet? If extractions are needed, who will do this?
�         What are their qualifications?
�         Will you probe and chart each and every tooth?
�         Will you take dental radiographs of any areas that need it?

At Russell Vale vets, the answers to these questions are =

 I, Dr Liz, perform every dental procedure, including extractions (oral surgery). 

Dental charting is done every time, and dental radiographs are vital to check the health of your pet's mouth.

 My qualifications are that I am a Registered veterinarian operating out of a licenced veterinary hospital with the Veterinary Practitioner's Board of NSW.

 I am a Chartered Member of the Australian Veterinary Association, and my hospital is a Certified and Accredited Practice with the AVA.

 I have attended many basic and advanced post graduate "wet labs' in veterinary dentistry, and have over 20 years experience in veterinary dentistry.

In December 2008, we had our dentistry skills assessed, and we are pleased to have been told that "the level of dental care you are providing your patients is significantly above average for general practice in Australia, especially as you have embraced dental radiology which I believe is the single most under-utilised diagnostic tool in veterinary dental practice" Dr Christine Hawke -  Sydney Pet Dentistry.
In cases which are challenging, I do not hesitate to confer with veterinary dentists either locally (such as Sydney Pet Dentistry at the Animal Referral Hospital), or overseas (through my affiliation with Veterinary Information Network (VIN).

Now, what dental grade is your pet? And, what are you going to do about it?
Dr Liz
Dec 2011

Phone 02 42 845 988