If you’ve ever charted the wrong tooth and sent your vet on a wild goose chase for a problem that didn’t exist, or told you the incorrect tooth number when charting, resulting in the wrong tooth being extracted—trust me, you’re not alone. Dental charting in veterinary medicine is one of those skills that’s easy to underestimate until it’s done wrong. Then suddenly, it’s clear: accurate charting isn’t just a formality—it’s a critical part of patient care.
In this post, we’ll break down what veterinary dental charting is, how to do it well, and how to avoid common mistakes that can cost time, money, and client trust.
What Is Veterinary Dental Charting for Technicians?
Veterinary dental charting for technicians is the process of documenting everything about a patient’s mouth during a dental exam or procedure. This includes missing teeth, fractures, gingivitis, periodontal pockets, resorptive lesions, mobility, and any other abnormalities.
Charting helps the entire veterinary team:
- Track disease progression over time
- Communicate clearly between team members
- Educate pet owners about dental disease
- Build consistent, accurate medical records
- Support treatment recommendations and estimates
Done well, charting sets the foundation for efficient, thorough dentistry. Done poorly, it creates confusion and wastes time.
Understanding the Triadan Numbering System
Most practices use the modified Triadan system, a three-digit numbering system that assigns each tooth a specific number based on its location and type.
Here’s how it works:
- Quadrants:
- 100s = Upper Right
- 200s = Upper Left
- 300s = Lower Left
- 400s = Lower Right
- Teeth within the quadrant are numbered from the midline (central incisor) outward.
Examples:
- 104 = Upper right canine
- 309 = Lower left first molar
For cats, remember:
- They have fewer premolars and molars than dogs.
- The upper jaw is missing the first premolar (105 and 205) and the second molar (110 and 210).
- The lower jaw is missing the second premolar (306 and 406).
This means a cat’s chart won’t have a full set of numbers—don’t chart teeth that don’t exist!
Common Charting Abbreviations and Symbols
To keep charts concise, we use abbreviations. Here are a few common abbreviations:
- T/FX – Tooth Fracture
- UCF-Uncomplicated Crown Fracture
- CCF– Complicated Crown Fracture
- GR – Gingival Recession
- PD0–PD4 – Periodontal Disease Grades
- M1–M3 – Mobility Grades
- F1–F3 – Furcation exposure
- RR – Retained root
- TR – Tooth Resorption (cats)
- CAL – Clinical Attachment Loss
- C/R – Crown/Root status (e.g., crown amputation only)
🧾 For the full list of AVDC-approved abbreviations, please refer to: AVDC Abbreviation Reference
Symbols and shorthand can vary by practice, so your team should align on a standardized set of abbreviations if the AVDC-approved abbreviation list is not being used.
Tip: Create a laminated cheat sheet and keep it at your dental station—it helps eliminate guesswork during charting.
Common Dental Charting Mistakes Veterinary Technicians Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Here are a few of the biggest pitfalls I see in technician charting:
- Wrong Side, Wrong Tooth
It’s easy to chart a finding on 204 when it was actually on 104. Double-check the quadrant and the angle of your view—radiographs help confirm this. - Missing or Incomplete Notations
If you don’t write it down, it didn’t happen. Incomplete charting leads to confusion, especially if another tech is assisting or the case is referred. - Unclear Abbreviations
If your chart says “F3 RR PD3 TR,” but your team isn’t sure what each abbreviation means, it loses value. Standardize and train. - Not Updating After Radiographs
Always revisit the chart after X-rays. Many findings (like root remnants or resorptive lesions) aren’t visible during the oral exam.
How Great Charting Improves Everything
When your dental charts are detailed, accurate, and standardized, you’ll notice:
- Faster exams – No wasted time re-checking teeth or explaining findings.
- More confident vets – Your notes back up their treatment plans.
- Clearer communication with pet owners – Your chart supports visual aids and treatment recommendations.
- Stronger recordkeeping – Which matters for liability, referrals, and rechecks.
Great charting isn’t busy work—it’s a valuable tool and without it, confusion is inevitable.
Want to Master Charting (and So Much More)?
In our Veterinary Dentistry for Technicians and Assistants course, we break down charting techniques, provide sample templates, and teach you how to scale, polish, take rads, and assist with advanced procedures.
You’ll get:
- Hands-on experience
- Charting samples and abbreviation guides
- Personalized feedback
- Tips to improve accuracy, efficiency, and confidence
Charting is a skill—one you can absolutely master with the right tools and guidance.
Final Thoughts
The next time you’re tempted to rush through charting—pause. It’s not just ink on paper. It’s a record of that patient’s dental health, your communication with the vet, and your roadmap for future care.
And when done right, it’s the difference between guessing and knowing.
If you have any charting questions or want help training your team, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help elevate veterinary dentistry—one perfectly charted tooth at a time.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (05/23/2025) Photo by Pixabay on Pexels