Course Description
This course will review the basics of companion animal oral anatomy and health, with emphasis on prevention of, and diagnosis of, periodontal disease and oral pathology. Students will learn and practice techniques in routine dental prophylaxis, dental charting, dental radiology, and client education and home care.
Enrollment is limited to students in the Animal Health Technology Program
Course Content
- 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 occlusion, fractured teeth, crowding, abscesses, poor positioning, and neoplasia of the oral cavity.
- Dental instrumentation – identification and care of instruments with an emphasis on proper sharpening and maintenance.
- Pathology of periodontal disease and periodontitis. Clinical signs and treatment of the latter.
- Dental prophylaxis (cleaning): the who, what, when and why.
- Dental radiology – an introduction and a review of dental x-ray anatomy.
- Exotics and pocket pets, and equine dentition.
- Oral innervations and local blocks.
- Ergonomics, theory of extractions, endodontics, orthodontics.
- Marketing and homecare techniques.
Learning Activities
This course includes 1 hour of classroom instruction per week and 3 hours of laboratory instruction including demonstrations and practical experiences, and a weekend day or evening course consisting of intensive laboratory instruction and practical learning.
Means of Assessment
Group Project/Assignments 30-45%
Final Exam 30%
Laboratory assessments (practical) 10-30%
Professionalism 10%
100%
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course students will:
- have an entry level ability to perform the standard tasks in veterinary dentistry that are in the scope of the Animal Health Technologist’s role.
- recognize normal and abnormal dental anatomy and conditions.
- use dental terminology and identify teeth by both Anatomical and Triadan systems in order to accurately chart dental procedures and conditions.
- recognize and correctly use and care for dental hand instruments.
- be competent in recommending home dental care programs to clients.
- understand gingivitis, periodontitis and oral hygiene procedures.
- be familiar with dental radiology
Textbook Materials
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
- Holstrom, Stephen E, Veterinary Denistry for Technicians and Office Staff, Elsevier/Saunders
Current edition.