Small Animal/Exotics 20TH ANNIVERSARY Compendium February 1999

Dentistry Highlights and Horizons

B. Jean Hawkins, MS, DVM
Diplomate, American Veterinary Dentistry College
Fellow, Academy of Veterinary Dentistry
Veterinary Dental Consultant
Boise, Idaho

AT the beginning of the 19th century, veterinary dentistry focused primar-

ily on maintaining the horses that were the mainstay of the agrarian
economy. As hoof-powered “horsepower” declined, so did the practice of veteri-
nary dentistry.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, increasing numbers of small animals were
being treated by veterinarians making farm calls and many small-animal–only
practices were springing up in the large urban areas, especially in the United
States. Veterinarians of that era received this advice about dentistry: “If they’re
dirty, clean ’em; if they’re loose, pull ’em,” with little explanation or education
as to how this should be done. Although several professionals received degrees in
both human dentistry and veterinary medicine, limited dental information fil- Jean Hawkins
tered into the veterinary literature or the veterinary schools.

A Military Approach on the importance of healthy teeth in

The armed forces service dogs received what was probably the best veterinary breeding, show, and pet dogs. He
dental care available to any animal in the 1960s and 1970s. It became apparent promoted not only preventing and
that the dogs’ performance was directly affected by the health of their teeth. Base treating periodontal disease but also
dentists were pressed into performing root canals and placing crowns on guard brushing dogs’ teeth! Dr. Ursula
dogs while veterinarians administered anesthesia and other care. The dogs’ en- Deitrich, another pioneer from hu-
thusiastic return to duty following adequate dental treatment did not escape the man dentistry, developed the first pet
attention of military veterinarians, but most veterinary dental knowledge re- toothpaste and toothbrush and de-
mained limited. signed several dental instruments for
Several professionals began emphasizing the importance of dentistry in the veterinary use. Dr. Don Ross, an Air
overall health of veterinary patients. Dr. Peter Emily, a human periodontist, Force veterinarian who saw the bene-
Doberman pinscher breeder, and American Kennel Club judge, started lecturing fits of root canal and crown work

ENDIU 1977 1979 1983 1986

MP American
Veterinary 1980 1983
First dental lectures and
laboratory held at the American

1985 19
Mark Tholen,
DDS, wrote
Academy of
Veterinary
M’

20th

CO

Dental Animal Hospital Association first small Dentistry

1981
S

Society annual meeting in New Orleans animal formed

1 9 7

ANNIVERSARY
9 - 1
9 9 9

1979formed
1982
1984
veterinary
dental textbook
(Concepts in
Veterinary
Dentistry)
Air-driven
dental units for
veterinarians
became widely
available
19
 Compendium February 1999
performed on military dogs, pursued
a master’s degree in dental science af-
ter completing his military service.
He became quite well known and
had a large veterinary dental practice
in the Houston area.
Interest Increases
The momentum in veterinary
dentistry was building from the prac-
titioner level. Some veterinarians be-
gan visiting their own dentists to
learn more about human dental
techniques that could benefit their
veterinary patients. Still, most veteri-
narians were without an easily acces-
sible source of veterinary dental
instruments, equipment, and text-
books. Most available instruments
were either designed by someone
who never tried to use them on dogs
(or cats) or worn-out donations from
human dentists. This void was filled
when a true visionary in veterinary
medicine, Gerard B. Selin, former
owner of EVSCO and primary pro-
ponent of gas anesthesia in veterinary
medicine, joined Henry Schein, Inc.
The catalog dental supply company
gave Selin carte blanche in develop-
ing a division centered around veteri-
nary dentistry, and education be-
came their focal point.
Schein entered into an education
liaison with the American Animal
Hospital Association in 1988, and
CE Seminars was born. Four instruc-
tors—Gary Beard, Chuck Williams,
Peter Emily, and Tom Mulligan—
educated thousands of veterinarians
about all aspects of veterinary den-
tistry, from complete prophylaxis to
crowns and bridges.
The Academy of Veterinary Den-
tistry administered its first examina-
tion in 1986 during the Eastern
98719901992 1988
1995
American
1990
First World
1998
Veterinary Veterinary
1991
Dental Dental
College Symposium
1994
19891993 1997
formed held
986
20TH ANNIVERSARY
States Veterinary Conference; 2 years
later, the American Veterinary Den-
tal College was formed and recog-
nized by the American Veterinary
Medical Association. Veterinary den-
tistry is now a core subject at many
national, state, and local veterinary
meetings. Students are taught via
videos, textbooks, lectures, and labo-
ratories throughout the world. Den-
tistry is not yet a mainstream topic
in most veterinary schools, but it is
an elective at several schools that
have Diplomates of the American
Veterinary Dental College on staff.
The field of veterinary dentistry is
one of the most exciting and fastest-
growing areas of veterinary medicine,
attracting hundreds of veterinary stu-
dents, veterinarians, and veterinary
technicians to lectures and laborato-
ries annually. Unlike spaying or neu-
tering, dentistry must be repeated on
a regular basis (at least annually in
most dogs, cats, and horses and more
frequently in tiny pets, such as toy
breeds and those weighing less than
8 lb) to keep the oral cavity healthy.
Home care products and dental-
friendly treats are burgeoning areas
for veterinarians and owners to ex-
plore.
What the Future Holds
With the increasing importance of
companion animals today, owners
want an enhanced level of care. Vet-
erinary dentistry addresses that need
by recommending preventive den-
tistry (i.e., earlier and more frequent
prophylaxis in dogs and cats) and
therapeutic dentistry, such as treat-
ing existing periodontal disease, per-
forming root canals (endodontic
therapy) to treat abscessed teeth, and
providing orthodontics to furnish
1991
First national dental lecture/
laboratory exclusively for
technicians given
Small Animal/Exotics
OWNERS’ OUTLOOK
■ The Root of the Problem.
According to the Morris Animal
Foundation’s Animal Health
Survey, 31% of dog owners and
29% of cat owners cited dentistry
problems as being one of their
major health concerns for their
pet. The number one concern for
dogs was cancer (39%); for cats, it
was urinary problems (48%).
■ At Any Cost. The American
Animal Hospital Association’s
1998 Pet Owner Survey indicates
that pets play an important role in
the lives of their owners: 50% of
respondents said they were very
likely to risk their life for their pet,
and 38% would be willing to
spend any amount of money to
save their pet’s life.
■ An Ounce of Prevention. In
addition to a willingness to spend
money in an emergency, today’s
pet owners take an active role in
caring for their pets. According to
the American Animal Hospital
Association’s 1998 Pet Owner
Survey, 87% seek regular
veterinary checkups, vaccinations,
and teeth cleanings, and 82% have
had their pet spayed/neutered.
Statistics from the American Veterinary
Medical Association are based on responses
from U.S. and Canadian pet owners. Data
from the Morris Animal Foundation are
based on responses from a worldwide
survey mailed out in August 1997.
pets with pain-free occlusion. Exten-
sive research is being conducted to
determine the cause of feline odon-
toclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs
or neck lesions) in cats. Gingivo-
stomatitis complex, an as-yet un-
identified immune problem that is
1994
First
1997
First dental diet for
National cats introduced
Pet Dental
Health
Month
1999
instituted
First dental
diet for dogs
introduced
Small Animal/Exotics 20TH ANNIVERSARY
painful for cats and frustrating for owners and veterinari-
ans, is another area of investigation. As more clinics ac-
quire lasers, which can be used to destroy nerve endings,
cats with refractory gingivostomatitis may be made more
comfortable.
Dental radiography will begin to play a more important
role in veterinary dentistry as more clinics acquire the nec-
essary equipment. Early diagnosis of periodontal disease;
missing, unerupted, and abscessed teeth; FORLs; tumors;
and other problems improves the chances of successful
treatment. Easier access to training in root canal therapy
and other advanced dental techniques will allow many
Compendium February 1999
teeth to be saved and the apical abscesses that often affect
the pet’s energy level and overall health to be resolved.
New products to treat periodontal disease can put the
“play” back into pets affected with this very common and
debilitating disease.
Look for the future to bring more educational opportu-
nities in both in the veterinary and technician schools,
more diplomates of the American Veterinary Dental Col-
lege to whom to refer really difficult cases, nutritional ad-
vances, and lots of dogs and cats with breath as fresh as a
flower in a couple of hours. Veterinary dentistry is still an
exciting and evolving field.