Nurse Dentistry

Canine and feline dental anatomy and function

By the end of this module delegates should be able to :

• Be familiar with the development of teeth (enamel, dentine, cement and root pulp)
• Be able to identify important anatomical structures (skull bones, musculature, innervations)
• Recognise different skull types
• Explain the structure and function of the periodontium and oral mucosa (palate tongue, soft palate, oropharynx, tonsils)
• Identify different tooth types and dental formulae

Dental examination and diagnostic tests

By the end of this module delegates should be able to :

• Assess the oral cavity and dentition of a conscious patient
• Perform a full oral and dental examination under general anaesthetic
• Confidently complete a comprehensive dental examination chart
• Create complete patient records, recording findings and providing advice to clients and colleagues
• Acquire diagnostic dental radiographs 
• Appreciate the need for other diagnostic tests such as blood samples, biopsy and CT

Includes a practical session.

Morning Lecture (3 hours):

1. Introduction to Veterinary Dentistry for Technicians (30 minutes)

• Overview of the technician's role in veterinary dental care.
• Importance of dental health in overall animal health.

2. Dental Anatomy of Dogs and Cats (45 minutes)

• Comparison of the dentition of dogs and cats.
• Tooth numbering systems (Triadan system).
• Key anatomical landmarks: teeth, gingiva, periodontal ligament, etc.

3. Common Dental Diseases in Dogs and Cats (1 hour)

• Periodontal disease: stages, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Tooth resorption in cats.
• Fractured teeth and other oral pathologies.

4. Introduction to Dental Radiography (45 minutes)

• Basics of dental radiography and its importance in diagnosis.
• Positioning techniques and safety tips for technicians.

Afternoon Practical Exercises (3 hours):

1. Dental Anatomy Review with Cadaver Heads (30 mins)

• Identification of key anatomical features on dog and cat cadaver heads.
• Hands-on practice using probes and explorers to assess dental structures.

2. Periodontal Probing and Charting (1.25 hour)

• Demonstrating correct periodontal probing techniques.
• Practice charting dental findings (gingival recession, furcation involvement, tooth mobility, etc.).

3. Radiographic Positioning (1.25 hour)

• Hands-on practice positioning dog and cat cadaver heads for intraoral radiographs.
• Reviewing images and identifying common mistakes in positioning.

Morning Lecture (3 hours):

1. Introduction to Professional Dental Cleaning (1 hour)

• Steps of a comprehensive dental cleaning procedure.
• Scaling, polishing, and fluoride treatments.
• Infection control and anaesthesia considerations.

2. Regional Anesthetic Techniques (1 hour)

• Overview of drugs used and impact it has on the general patient peri- and post-operatively
• Regional anesthetic landmarks
• Regional anaesthetic technique delivery

3. Client Education and Communication (1 hour)

• How to effectively communicate dental findings and treatment plans to clients.
• Importance of preventive care and routine dental check-ups.
• How to demonstrate toothbrushing techniques for owners.

Afternoon Practical Exercises (3 hours):

1. Dental Cleaning Techniques (1.5 hours)

• Hands-on practice using ultrasonic and hand scalers on cadaver heads.
• Polishing teeth and discussing the importance of smooth surfaces post-cleaning.

2. Regional Anesthesia Techniques (1.5 hours)

• Demonstrate identification of regional anaesthetic landmarks in the dog and practice safe administration
• Demonstrate identification of regional anaesthetic landmarks in the cat and demonstrate safe administration.

3. Review Common Radiographic Dental Abnormalities

• Group discussion if time permits

Canine dental conditions

By the end of this module delegates should be able to :

• Recognise the clinical signs of canine periodontal disease
• Identify conditions affecting the pulp (fractured teeth, abrasion, non-vital teeth, caries)
• Explain the causes and treatment options for canine tooth resorption
• Be able to assess malocclusion
• Review developmental conditions
• Acquire knowledge of oral masses
• Discuss the importance of preventative dental healthcare plans for dogs and their implementation in practice
• Appreciate the need for lifelong dental care and communicate the principles and importance of home oral care to dog owning clients and colleagues through nurse clinics to promote and monitor active and passive home care

Feline dental conditions

By the end of this module delegates should be able to :

• Recognise the clinical signs of feline periodontal disease
• Identify conditions affecting the pulp (fractured teeth, abrasion, non-vital teeth, caries)
• Explain the causes and treatment options for feline tooth resorption
• Revise the causes and treatment of chronic gingivostomatitis in the cat
• Be able to assess malocclusion
• Appreciate developmental conditions
• Acquire knowledge of oral masses
• Appreciate the need for lifelong dental care and communicate the principles and importance of home oral care to cat owning clients and colleagues through nurse clinics to promote and monitor active and passive home care

The canine and feline dental procedure

By the end of this module delegates should be able to :

• Assess the patient for anaesthesia and manage the patient peri-operatively in relation to intubation, IVFT, repositioning, maintaining body heat and analgesia
• Select appropriate equipment and consumables to perform a dental procedure
• Handle dental instrumentation appropriately
• Maintain dental equipment
• Understand the ergonomics of tables, chairs and lighting for a dental procedure
• Formulate a business plan to bring high quality dental care to the clinic

Includes a practical session.

Anaesthesia

By the end of this module delegates should be able to :

• Discuss anaesthetic monitoring equipment (basic and advanced) and explain abnormal pulse oximetry values as well as abnormal capnography waveforms. 
• Describe the use of different pre-anaesthetic medication, induction and maintenance agents, 
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different pre-anaesthetic medication, induction, and maintenance agents each in the dental patient.  
• Define commonly encountered anaesthetic complications in dental and oral surgical procedures and discuss ways to minimise such complications.  
• Explain the importance of client consent forms, patient anaesthesia records and be able to complete both correctly. 
• Identify different types of endotracheal tubes and their use explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each. Demonstrate the skill of intubating easy and more difficult patients.
• Identify the type of fluid replacement required for the peri procedure period in the Canine, feline and exotic (rabbit/guinea pig/ferret) patient. 
• Recognise the special considerations, techniques, and advice for anaesthesia in other species including ferrets, rabbits and other small mammals undergoing dental procedures stating the different administration techniques and cannulation techniques used for these species.  
• Select appropriate agents for the restraint, pre-medication, induction, and maintenance of anaesthesia for exotic species 

Analgesia

At the end of this module delegates should be able to:

• Appreciate the pathophysiology of pain and be able to identify pain in different species using pain scoring methods.  
• Explain the different classes of analgesia, including opioids, NSAIDs, local anaesthetics and other agents and their pharmacology.
• Appreciate the use of a pre-emptive and multi-modal approach to analgesia.  
• Be able to identify appropriate analgesic agents for the use of CRI, when and how these should be used/monitored and be able to perform a CRI calculation.  
• Summarise the advantages and disadvantages of local anaesthetic nerve blocks in the dog and cat.  
• Learn how to perform local anaesthetic nerve blocks in the dog and cat (wet lab)  

Exotic dentistry

By the end of this module delegates should be able to :

• Identify skull and dental anatomy of rabbits and rodents
• Explain tooth development in these species
• Understand specific health considerations in these species
• Discuss preventative and treatment options in these species with clients and colleagues
• Become familiar with the instruments and equipment required to perform dentistry

Includes a practical session.