Frequently Asked Questions

We work closely with your regular vet to determine the best course of action for your pet. Make an appointment at your usual vet care clinic in the first instance, and they can organise referral to us at Regional Animal Dentistry if it's required.

A Dental COHAT (Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment) is a professional dental procedure for pets performed under general anesthesia.

It includes:

• Full oral exam – A thorough inspection of teeth, gums, tongue, and oral tissues.
• Dental x-rays – To check for hidden problems below the gumline (where most dental disease occurs).
• Scaling and polishing – Removal of plaque and tartar above and below the gums.
• Periodontal treatment – Cleaning and treating gum disease if present.
• Repairs or extractions if needed – Removal of painful or infected teeth.
• Pain management – Appropriate anesthesia and post-procedure pain control.
   

Put simply, your pet will continue to eat even if they have significant dental pain, because to not eat means starvation. Reluctance to eat is a very late sign of dental pain. Animals show signs of chronic pain in a very subtle way, and it is often not until patients have recovered from dental surgery that owners notice an improvement in behaviour and demeanour. "I didn't realise how much it was affecting her!" is a comment we hear often.

We naturally worry more about our pets as they get older. One underestimated health concern in older pets is chronic pain, for example arthritic or dental pain. Pain significantly affects quality of life and a patient shouldn't be dismissed as being "old and cranky" when there are useful treatment options. Pre-anaesthetic blood and urine testing are very helpful for assessing the co-mobidities often present in older patients - ask your vet about doing this at least the week before scheduled dental surgery. Cardiac patients can have procedures under anaesthesia if their disease is well-managed and stable. Modern anaesthesia monitoring and peri-procedure care (eg tailored intravenous fluid therapy) significantly reduce the risks, and many geriatric patients have greatly benefited from having a pain free mouth in their twilight years.

If you're located in central western regional Victoria, or in Melbourne, Regional Animal Dentistry can come to your clinic to perform dental surgery. Your practice must have dental radiography - it's essential for most dentistry cases! Email us with the case details and any photos or radiographs at drtom@radvets.com.au and we'll be in touch to organise the logistics.

Regional Animal Dentistry provides in-clinic training in various formats. Wet labs, vet only, and vet + nurse talks are all possible. If you have a particular topic you'd like to work on, please just let us know. We can also provide individual advice and support for cases that haven't quite gone to plan - just reach out at drtom@radvets.com.au.