Dentistry
Dentistry questions cover oral anatomy, periodontal assessment, dental charting, scaling and polishing, dental radiography, extraction principles, and client education. The exam tests whether you can recognize disease, document it accurately, and support safe anesthesia during dental procedures.
Core rules and concepts
- The Triadan system numbers teeth by quadrant: 100s upper right, 200s upper left, 300s lower left, 400s lower right. In dogs, the mandibular first molar is 409/309; in cats, the carnassial teeth are 108/208 and 409/309.
- Periodontal probing measures sulcus depth. Normal in dogs is generally 1–3 mm and in cats less than 1 mm; deeper pockets indicate attachment loss. Chart mobility, furcation exposure, recession, and bleeding.
- Periodontal disease staging runs from gingivitis (stage 1) through increasing attachment loss (stages 2–4). Stage 4 means greater than 50% attachment loss.
- Scale supragingivally and subgingivally, then polish with a fluoride-free paste to smooth enamel. Ultrasonic scaler tips need water cooling and light adaptation to avoid thermal damage.
- Dental radiographs are essential before extraction. Full-mouth imaging finds resorptive lesions, retained roots, and bone loss that visual inspection misses.
- Never use human toothpaste; fluoride and detergents can cause GI signs.
Worked example
A dog has a 4 mm pocket on the mandibular first molar. Normal sulcus is about 1–3 mm, so 4 mm suggests attachment loss. The technician charts the depth, checks for bleeding and mobility, and obtains a dental radiograph to assess bone loss and root integrity before the veterinarian decides between closed root planing and extraction.
Traps that cost marks
- Scaling without polishing, leaving rough enamel that accumulates plaque faster.
- Missing feline tooth resorption, which often appears as a gingival defect rather than a visibly broken crown.
- Charting only obvious calculus and ignoring pocket depths.
- Using a dental chart without radiographs for extraction planning.