Practical feeding
The VN should promote the use of hard , dry kibble and explain how it works . Feeding dry food from a young age will help keep alveolar bone strong , reducing the risk of the animal suffering from dental disease when it gets older . Soon after weaning , a puppy will begin to accept eating dry kibble , keeping its teeth healthy ( Ackerman & Aspinall , 2016 ).
Comparisons , such as those shown in Figure 2 , are another helpful visual tool for use in nurse-run dental clinics . They can help clients see what is underneath the build-up of plaque and the deterioration of the tooth once it has been cleaned . Having a visual aid like this can help kick-start their dog ’ s dental hygiene regime .
Extraction of teeth is one of the most effective methods of management . Treatment for gingivitis should be started immediately to prevent progression of the condition . During each veterinary check-up , the animal should receive a full dental check to ensure there are no clinical signs of periodontitis or worsening of the previous condition .
Role of the veterinary nurse
Nurse-run dental clinics would be beneficial to practices and should be encouraged . Effective clinics will reduce the number of animals with periodontitis , resulting in fewer dental problems . Within these clinics , nurses should show the client the most effective way to brush their animal ’ s teeth , and go into further detail on creating a dental hygiene routine that includes dietary choices , use of oral care products and potential surgical interventions . The clinics could be held as a group , individually , or a mixture of both . Holding a group clinic may make clients feel less isolated and they can discuss potential improvements with other non-professionals .
So , what is the best approach to organising a dental clinic ? Preparation is important . Having multiple visual aids and infographics can be invaluable . As 65 % of people find images a useful learning and memory aid , before-and-after pictures ( comparing dental care versus no dental care ) could make a difference ( Shift eLearning , 2021 ). Owners are likely to remember the images and compare them with their own animals ’ teeth , and will hopefully comply with the advice given .
A physical demonstration on a well-behaved dog can also aid learning , allowing clients to see what they are trying to achieve . The VN can show the best way to brush each surface of the tooth with a pet-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste . This will instil confidence in the clients and they can then adapt the ‘ see one , do one , teach one ’ concept from Halstead ’ s model ( Kotsis & Chung , 2013 ). Ideally , the teeth should be brushed once a day . However , reassure owners that any regular brushing is better than none . Recommending and sharing appropriate dental hygiene videos can also be helpful to clients , as they can refer to them at home after the dental clinic if they need to .
Figure 2 . Before ( top image ) and after ( bottom image ) scaling of teeth , illustrating the bifurcation exposure on tooth 108 .
Ongoing case management
Periodontitis is a chronic condition and will require long-term dietary management , so prevention is key , but there are potential treatment plans . These are based on the results of radiography and clinical signs .
A detailed description of different food types should be shared during the clinic . With a high percentage of people being visual learners , the ‘ screwdriver and Tippex theory ’ would be a useful aid here . VNs could also allow clients to try it themselves , which may make them more likely to show their family and friends , and encourage others to create a regular dental routine for their pets .
Oral hygiene is vital for any breed but brachycephalic breeds , spaniels and greyhounds are most prone to dental disease . One in eight dogs suffers from dental disease each year , so effective nurse-run dental clinics should aim to reduce that number drastically ( Royal Veterinary College , 2021 ).
24 Veterinary Nursing Journal