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AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats FAQs
Dental Care Guidelines | Dental Care Resources | Dental Care FAQs
What prompted the need for these guidelines?
The guidelines provide an educational tool to broaden the profession’s
understanding of dental care. Likewise these guidelines provide a means
for practitioners to illustrate to pet owners the importance of dental
care, as well as define what constitutes dental care. Independent guidelines
from a third party like AAHA can make a big difference in pet owners’
acceptance of dental care recommendations.
What issues do the guidelines address?
The guidelines cover several different areas:
- Definitions that pertain to dental guidelines
- Materials needed for the practice of dentistry
- Instruments to include in the dental surgical pack and importance
of sterility
- Equipment for performing dental procedures
- Minimum protective devices to be used during dental procedures
- Items to include in the dental chart and/or medical record
- Recommendations for patient assessment by life stage
- Pre-anesthesia exams and anesthesia recommendations
- Essential steps for dental cleaning, treatment of periodontal disease
and other conditions
- Client education and home care considerations
What is the purpose of the AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs
and Cats?
The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines for the
practice of companion animal dentistry. The AAHA Dental Care Guidelines
for Dogs and Cats provide a resource to help veterinary practice teams
provide optimal dental care.
How will practices benefit from implementing these guidelines?
The guidelines provide a means for veterinary practices to “raise
the bar” and practice a higher level of medicine. In doing so, patients
will benefit from improved care, and many clients and patients will benefit
from this higher level of care. Additionally the guidelines can increase
pride among practice staff members, who in turn are proud to be affiliated
with a practice that offers the best for its pets.
Is the information provided in the guidelines “new”?
The guidelines pool together an already-existing body of knowledge
encompassing evidence-based support, practical clinical experience, and
a consensus of expert opinion.
How were the guidelines created?
In 2004, the AAHA Dental Care Guidelines Task Force was assembled.
Task force members included board-certified veterinary dental specialists,
a general practitioner and a veterinary technician. Their goal was to
create a useful document about dental care for veterinary practice teams.
The guidelines were presented to the AAHA Board of Directors for approval.
Where can I find a copy of the guidelines?
The AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats are published
in the following formats:
Are AAHA members required to implement the guidelines?
These guidelines were developed as an educational tool to enhance
the well-being of dogs and cats. The document in which the AAHA Dental
Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats was published is intended as a guideline
only.
Does AAHA offer any other guidelines?
AAHA has also published the 2003 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines
as well as the AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
Does AAHA have any client literature available that discusses
the Dental Care Guidelines?
The guidelines provide a framework for discussion between a veterinary
practice and its clientele concerning dental care. Veterinary practices
can refer clients to the AAHA website,
www.healthypet.com, for more information on dental care and the
guidelines.
What if I have additional comments or questions regarding the
guidelines?
Please email us your feedback at aahafeedback@aahanet.org.
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