Dentistry and Oral Health
This domain tests dental anatomy, periodontal disease, charting, prophylaxis, radiography, and extraction nursing.
Dental formulas and numbering
Dogs have 42 permanent teeth and cats have 30. The modified Triadan system uses quadrants: 100 upper right, 200 upper left, 300 lower left, 400 lower right. Tooth 104 is the upper right canine; 204 is the upper left first premolar.
Periodontal disease
Plaque mineralizes into calculus, which irritates gingiva and leads to periodontitis with attachment loss. Stage and document gingivitis, pocket depth, mobility, and furcation exposure. Scaling removes deposits; polishing smooths enamel; irrigation removes debris.
Worked example
A chart entry says 204. Reasoning: quadrant 2 is the upper left permanent dentition and tooth 04 is the first premolar, so 204 is the upper left first premolar. This is not a lower tooth and not the carnassial, which is 208 in the dog.
Procedures and safety
Dental prophylaxis requires general anesthesia with a cuffed endotracheal tube and throat pack. Take radiographs when indicated, use a dental chart, and provide analgesia. Never use human toothpaste; use veterinary enzymatic products.
Traps
Scaling without polishing; charting only obvious teeth; extracting without radiographs; using an uncuffed tube; missing oral masses; sending a patient home without home-care instructions.