Course

Veterinary Elective Procedures (Dentistry & Surgical Assistance)

Faculty
Science and Technology
Department
Veterinary Technology
Course code
VTEC 2112
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course introduces students to companion (small) animal oral anatomy and health, with emphasis on prevention and detection of periodontal disease and oral pathology. Students learn and practice techniques in routine dental cleaning and oral hygiene, dental charting, dental radiography, client education and home care. Surgical assistance topics include aseptic preparation of packs and equipment, preparation of the patient for surgery, surgical scrub, gowning and gloving, and assisting the surgeon in the surgical suite. This course prepares students for live animal surgical assistance labs in VTEC 2304.
Course content

Dental anatomy and pathology

  • normal dental anatomy: deciduous and adult teeth
  • abnormal dental anatomy: crowding, missing teeth, malocclusion and malpositioned teeth
  • dental pathology: neoplasia, periodontal disease, periodontitis and abscesses

Dental care

  • oral cavity charting and medical record-keeping
  • dental instruments: identification, use and care
  • routine oral hygiene procedures
  • extractions, endodontics and orthodontics
  • homecare

Dental radiography and local blocks

  • dental radiograph positioning techniques
  • normal dental radiographic anatomy
  • oral innervation
  • local anesthetic block techniques

Surgical equipment

  • surgical instruments
  • packs, drapes, gowns

Aseptic techniques

  • methods of sterilization
  • autoclaves
  • preparation of surgical packs, drapes and gowns
  • preparation of surgical sites

Surgical assistance

  • patient positioning
  • surgical suite conduct (non-sterile and sterile personnel)
  • scrubbing, gowning and gloving
  • opening sterile packs (non-sterile and sterile personnel)
  • draping and passing instruments (sterile personnel)
Learning activities

Learning activities may include lectures, workshops, assignments, online quizzes, case studies, student presentations, group work, pre-lab instructional videos, simulation (models and cadavers) labs and in-lab evaluations.

 

Means of assessment

Assessments will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.

In order to achieve a grade of C (or higher) in the course, students must:

  • achieve a final minimum grade of 60% in each of the lecture and lab components
  • demonstrate competency (a performance of 60% or higher) in an evaluation of each of the assigned essential skills
  • attend a minimum of 80% of the scheduled lab hours

Evaluation will be based on:

Lab evaluations: 20-50% (no single evaluation worth more than 20%)

Assignments: 10-30%

Quizzes: 5-20% (no single quiz worth more than 5%)

Term test(s): 0-20%

Final examination(s): 30-40%

Total: 100%

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • safely and competently perform dentistry essential skills designated by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association;
  • recognize normal dental anatomy in veterinary species such as dogs, cats, horses and rabbits;
  • describe common dental pathology and treatment options in veterinary species such as dogs, cats, horses and rabbits;
  • accurately chart dentition, dental pathology and dental procedures in dogs and cats using standardized charts and appropriate terminology;
  • identify, use and maintain dental tools used for routine oral hygiene purposes in dogs and cats;
  • identify and maintain dental tools used for dental extractions in dogs and cats;
  • perform local blocks commonly used in dog and cat dentistry;
  • perform oral hygiene procedures on a dog or cat model;
  • perform dental radiography on a dog or cat model;
  • describe techniques for dog and cat oral homecare;
  • describe and identify common surgical instruments used in small and large animal surgery;
  • discuss aseptic techniques used in preparation of surgical instruments;
  • use an autoclave;
  • prepare, wrap, sterilize and maintain surgical packs, gowns and drapes;
  • prepare surgical sites using aseptic techniques;
  • perform a surgical scrub, dry hands, gown and glove without breaking sterility;
  • open surgical packs and suture as a sterile and non-sterile surgical assistant;
  • aseptically drape a surgical site;
  • pass instruments and other supplies as a sterile surgical assistant.
Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

  • J.M. Bassert, A.D. Beal and O.M. Samples. (Current Edition). McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. Pub Elsevier.

 

Requisites

Prerequisites

VTEC 1202 and VTEC 1203 and VTEC 1304 and VTEC 1305

Students in the Veterinary Technology program are required to maintain a minimum grade of C in all courses in order to progress in the program.

Corequisites

VTEC 2108 must be completed either prior to or simultaneously with this course

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for VTEC 2112
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Summer 2026

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
30
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
30
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2143
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
12:20
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2145
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
12:20
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

This is a condensed summer hybrid course. Exams will take place the week of July 10 - 17.