Course Description
This course will review the basics of companion animal oral anatomy and health, with emphasis on prevention and detection of periodontal disease and oral pathology. Students will learn and practice techniques in routine dental cleaning and oral hygiene, dental charting, dental radiography, client education and home care.
Enrolment is limited to students in the Veterinary Technology Program.
Course Content
The major topics in this course include the following:
- Anatomy and physiology of relevant oral structures and dentition, touching on embryology of deciduous teeth and their development into adult structures.
- Charting the oral cavity and performing an oral exam: recognition of malocclusion, fractured teeth, crowding, dental abscesses, poor positioning and neoplasia of the oral cavity.
- Dental instrumentation – identification and care of instruments with an emphasis on proper use, sharpening and maintenance.
- Pathology of periodontal disease and periodontitis including clinical signs and treatment of the latter.
- Dental cleaning and oral hygiene procedures.
- Dental radiography – taking dental radiographs, developing and recognizing normal dental radiographic anatomy.
- Oral innervation and local anesthetic blocks.
- Ergonomics, theory of extractions, endodontics and orthodontics.
- Marketing and homecare techniques.
Learning Activities
This course involves four hours of instruction per week. A combination of lecture and laboratory format is used.
Means of Assessment
The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. A final minimum cumulative grade of “C” or 60% is required (in both lecture and lab components) in order to pass this course. Evaluation will be based on quizzes and assignments, practical evaluations including a final practical examination, at least one midterm and a final written examination.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Perform the tasks in veterinary dentistry that are standard for the veterinary technologist.
- Recognize normal and abnormal dental anatomy and conditions.
- Use dental terminology and identify teeth by both the Anatomic and Triadan systems in order to accurately chart dental procedures and conditions.
- Identify and correctly use and care for dental hand instruments.
- Recommend home dental care programs to clients.
- Describe gingivitis and periodontitis, and perform oral hygiene procedures.
- Perform dental radiography.
Textbook Materials
A list of required and optional textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.