Dentistry
What the exam tests
Dentistry tests dental anatomy, periodontal charting, scaling and polishing, dental radiology, extraction nursing, and local anesthesia safety.
Core rules
- Adult dog dental formula: 42 teeth; cat: 30 teeth. Modified Triadan numbering uses quadrant plus tooth position.
- Periodontal disease is staged by attachment loss, probing depth, recession, mobility, and furcation exposure.
- Every dental procedure under anesthesia includes a complete oral exam and charting, plus intraoral radiographs when indicated.
- Scaling removes calculus; polishing smooths the enamel; without polishing, rough surfaces accelerate plaque retention.
- Local anesthetic maximum doses differ by species and drug; calculate before injecting.
Worked example
A 4 kg cat needs lidocaine at no more than 2 mg/kg. Maximum dose = 2 × 4 = 8 mg. A 2% lidocaine solution contains 20 mg/mL, so maximum volume = 8 ÷ 20 = 0.4 mL. This is a small volume; record the actual amount used and avoid repeating beyond the maximum.
Traps
- Scaling without polishing, leaving a roughened surface.
- Charting only obvious lesions and missing probing depths or furcation.
- Extracting a tooth without radiographs or without assessing root structure.
- Using human toothpaste, which can contain xylitol or fluoride.
- Overlooking feline tooth resorption, which often requires extraction rather than scaling.