Dentistry
Anatomy and charting
Learn the permanent dental formulas. Dog: 2 × (I3/3, C1/1, P4/4, M2/3) = 42 teeth. Cat: 2 × (I3/3, C1/1, P3/2, M1/1) = 30 teeth. Deciduous teeth number 28 in the dog. In the Triadan system, quadrants are 100 (upper right), 200 (upper left), 300 (lower left), and 400 (lower right); teeth 01–03 are incisors, 04 the canine, 05–08 premolars, and 09–10 molars. Thus 208 is the maxillary left fourth premolar, the dog's carnassial tooth.
Periodontal disease
The sequence is plaque → calculus → gingivitis → periodontitis with attachment loss and pocket formation. Normal sulcus depth is roughly 1–3 mm in dogs and under 1 mm in cats; deeper readings suggest disease. Staging (0–4) drives the treatment plan: scaling, root planing, polishing, extraction, or periodontal surgery. Dental radiographs are essential because most pathology lies below the gumline.
Procedures and anesthesia
Dental work requires general anesthesia with an endotracheal tube and a cuffed tube plus pharyngeal packing to prevent aspiration. Supragingival scaling is followed by subgingival scaling and then polishing, which smooths the enamel; skipping polishing leaves a rough surface that accumulates plaque faster. Hand scalers are for supragingival use only. Chart every tooth before and after treatment, and discuss home care (brushing, dental diets, chews).
Worked example
A probing depth of 5 mm with bleeding on the mandibular right first molar (409) in a dog indicates attachment loss - record it, take a radiograph, and plan subgingival therapy rather than a routine scale-and-polish.
Traps
Confusing deciduous and permanent counts, mis-numbering quadrants, probing an awake patient, and forgetting that extractions require radiographs and pain management.