Nurse Stream

Dentistry is performed daily in veterinary clinics and providing efficient case management is beneficial to both the patient and the veterinary team.
Implementing Comprehensive Oral Health Assessments and Treatments (COHATs) into dentistry procedures provides much more than a ‘scale and polish’ for routine dentistry procedures.
This lecture will outline the steps involved in performing a COHAT and tips on performing these proficiently whilst highlighting the large role veterinary nurses have during the COHAT procedure.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Discuss the requirement for COHATs during dentistry procedures and their benefits to patient care.
Summarise the steps required to perform a COHAT in veterinary dental patients.
Investigate the benefits to the veterinary practice following implementation of COHATs during dentistry procedures.

Dentistry is performed daily in veterinary clinics and providing efficient case management is beneficial to both the patient and the veterinary team.
Implementing Comprehensive Oral Health Assessments and Treatments (COHATs) into dentistry procedures provides much more than a ‘scale and polish’ for routine dentistry procedures.
This lecture will outline the steps involved in performing a COHAT and tips on performing these proficiently whilst highlighting the large role veterinary nurses have during the COHAT procedure.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Discuss the requirement for COHATs during dentistry procedures and their benefits to patient care.
Summarise the steps required to perform a COHAT in veterinary dental patients.
Investigate the benefits to the veterinary practice following implementation of COHATs during dentistry procedures.

Do dogs really get braces? The answer is: sometimes! Every patient deserves a comfortable, pain-free bite, and addressing malocclusions that cause trauma is essential for their well-being. In this lecture, we will begin by defining what constitutes a normal occlusion in both dogs and cats. From there, we will delve into the various classes of malocclusions, helping veterinary professionals accurately identify and differentiate these conditions. Finally, we will explore the appropriate treatment options for each malocclusion class, ensuring you can provide the best care for your patients.
Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the characteristics of a normal occlusion in dogs and cats.
2. Differentiate between normal and abnormal occlusions in patients.
3. Categorize the different classes of malocclusions in canine and feline patients.
4. Assess the appropriate treatment options for various classes of malocclusions.
5. Explain the impact of untreated malocclusions on overall oral health and patient well-being.

The presentation will cover the recognition of pediatric dental anatomy in canine and feline patients, including the normal transition to adult dentition, along with potential complications during this critical developmental stage. It will also address occlusal evaluation, classification of malocclusions, identification of tooth and soft tissue injuries, and available treatment options.

Learning objectives:

1. Memorize dental formulas, tooth numbers, and deciduous tooth morphology for pediatric dentition in the dog and cat.
2. Understand typical eruption schedules for deciduous and adult dentition in dogs and cats.
3. Create a deeper understanding of dental malocclusions and recognize ways to advocate for patients' comfortable and pain-free mouth closure.
4. Gain a basic understanding of the angle classification system to classify occlusions in veterinary patients. Using the angle classification system creates a better understanding of evaluating and documenting canine and feline patients for malocclusions.
5. Understand the distinction between atraumatic and traumatic occlusions and their implications for the patient.

Dentistry requires general anaesthesia, and although the risks for this are much lower, and continue to improve with advanced monitoring and training, the risk is never zero.
Patients presenting to dentistry commonly fall into the geriatric period of their life span, which although not a risk in itself, does make them slightly more pre disposed to morbities, which can increase their risk of fatality under general anaesthesia.
Clients are often reluctant to allow dentistry or oral surgery on their pets who are geriatric or have co existing disease, because of the perceived increased risk factors.
Whilst we can offer reassurance, and keep up to date with training of anaesthesia management and safety, we unfortunately cannot reduce the risk of death to zero.
What we can do, is be as well trained, diligent and prepared as possible, and this should include being current, up to date, and well trained, in the most up to date Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) guidelines.
This needs to be more than just having a chart in the room or on your anaesthetic form of what to do, this is such an important element of Veterinary Care, and we all need to be up to date, and prepared, should we find ourselves in a position of a patient requiring CPR whilst under our care for any dental or oral surgery.
In October 2024 the Recover guidelines were updated, using evidence based studies and information, to improve the outcome of animals who experience Cardio Pulmonary Arrest- whether that be from a conscious state, or under general anaesthesia.
This session will talk you through patients that may be a higher risk, how to discuss this with the owners, how to help mitigate these risks, but predominantly, what to do if your patient does suffer CPA whilst undergoing oral/dental surgery.
The session will cover Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, expectations, how to utilise the team, compressions for different breeds of dogs and felines, how to ventilate these patients, what monitoring should be used and how, and the current drug protocols thought to be most effective given the recent studies.

When it comes to veterinary dentistry, misinformation abounds—and it’s not just among pet owners. From the idea that “bad breath is normal” to the myth that “anesthetized cleanings are dangerous,” outdated or incorrect beliefs continue to influence how we approach animal oral care. This lecture takes a critical look at the most persistent myths in veterinary dentistry and separates fact from fiction. Attendees will walk away with insights to improve client communication, enhance patient care, and feel more confident in recommending appropriate dental treatments.
Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and evaluate common myths and misconceptions related to veterinary dental care.
2. Differentiate between outdated practices and current approaches to diagnosing and treating oral disease in companion animals.
3. Improve communication strategies to effectively educate clients about the importance of proper dental care and the risks of misinformation.
4. Apply updated knowledge to enhance clinical decision-making and promote best practices in veterinary dentistry.

Musculoskeletal disorders are a common work-related injury in the dentistry field due to the physical demands placed on the clinicians. Dental professionals commonly work in awkward positions and perform repetitive motions during long work hours. There are many ways to help prevent these injuries from occurring, with the first being aware of what causes them. Taking a proactive role in improving your own ergonomics, as well as making appropriate changes to the work environment to promote better ergonomics for the entire team is desirable.
Objectives
• Describe common MSDs
• Recognize office equipment that could provide a more ergonomic environment
• Create a plan to help prevent MSDs for themselves and staff