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AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
Dental Care Guidelines | Dental Care Resources | Dental Care FAQs
AAHA has developed the AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
to provide veterinarians and their teams with a framework for companion
animal dentistry practice. Approved by the AAHA Board of Directors at
its March 2005 meeting, the guidelines are now available in the September/October
2005 issues of Trends magazine and the Journal of the American
Animal Hospital Association.
“Pets can live longer, healthier lives if oral health care is managed
and maintained throughout their lives,” says Daniel S. Aja, DVM,
AAHA president. “These guidelines are a concise, useful resource
to help veterinary practice teams provide excellent dental care for dogs
and cats.”
The guidelines provide a working framework for dental examinations and
cleaning and surgical procedures, including anesthesia, facility and equipment
recommendations. The importance of client communication and education
regarding treatment options for optimum dental health, as well as the
importance of home care, is emphasized throughout the guidelines.
“All members of the veterinary practice team must strive to improve
the quality of care for their dental patients,” says Dr. Aja. “These
guidelines provide a framework for veterinary teams to reference as they
develop individualized dental plans for their patients.”
The AAHA Dental Care Guidelines Task Force members include Steven E.
Holmstrom, DVM, AVDC, chair; Ben H. Colmery, DVM, AVDC; M. Lana Conway,
DVM, FAVD, AVDC; Jan Bellows, DVM, ABVP, AVDC; Katherine S. Knutson, DVM;
and Jeanne R. Perrone, CVT. The guidelines were sponsored by a generous
educational grant from Merial Limited.
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