Veterinary technicians are the unsung heroes of veterinary dentistry, playing a pivotal role in ensuring our pets’ oral health is at its best. From the initial consultation to the final discharge instructions, technicians are deeply involved in every step of the comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment (COHAT) process.
The First Point of Contact
Technicians are often the first professionals to explain the detailed estimate and the entire timeline of events during a COHAT to pet owners. This means they must understand every line item on the estimate and be able to articulate the necessity and cost of each procedure.
Pre-Procedural Responsibilities
Before the actual anesthesia or dental cleaning begins, technicians perform critical tasks such as:
- Blood Draws and Lab Work: Ensuring the pet’s health status is clear.
- TPR (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration): Checking the vital signs.
- Premedication and IV Catheter Placement: Preparing the pet for anesthesia.
Understanding Periodontal Disease
A technician’s knowledge of periodontal disease is crucial. They need to grasp why and how we treat it to effectively assist the veterinarian. This understanding ensures the correct information and treatment plan will be relayed to the owner during and after the discharge. This will also help the technician use foresight in a procedure, which in turn will help decrease anesthetic time.
Anesthesia and Dental Cleaning
Technicians often handle inducing anesthesia, intubating the patient, and monitoring them throughout the procedure. Without proper training and appropriate knowledge of medications, normal anesthetic values, and troubleshooting tactics, monitoring anesthesia can be dangerous and even deadly. Meanwhile, another technician might focus on ultrasonic and hand scaling and polishing the tooth surfaces. Mastery of these tools is vital; incorrect usage can damage teeth, accelerate periodontal disease progression, and even lead to non-vital teeth due to pulp hemorrhage and necrosis.
Radiographs and Nerve Blocks
Technicians are responsible for taking diagnostic full-mouth radiographs promptly and accurately. This task can be challenging without proper training, which I provide in my eight-hour RACE-approved continuing education classes. In some clinics, technicians also administer regional nerve blocks. Proper training here is imperative to avoid complications ranging from ineffective blocks to severe adverse effects.
Dental Charting and Treatment Plans
Technicians must understand dental abbreviations to assist veterinarians in charting the patient’s mouth. Whether explaining this plan to the owner or aiding the veterinarian, a thorough grasp of the procedures and their importance is crucial.
Post-Procedure Care
Once the procedure is complete, technicians are in charge of extubating the patient safely and post-operative monitoring. Often overlooked, this is one of the most dangerous times for the patient. After recovery, the technician discusses discharge instructions with the owner. This includes an explanation of the pathology discovered, treatments that were performed, medications used, medications to go home, possible complications, and home care guidance. It is essential for technicians to be well-versed in anatomy, pathology, treatments, medications, and effective pet dental hygiene practices.
Veterinary Technicians with Expert Training
As you can see, veterinary technicians are the backbone of veterinary dentistry, ensuring each step of the process runs smoothly and efficiently. When I started in general practice, these tasks felt overwhelming due to a lack of specialized training. My goal is to bridge this gap, offering comprehensive training that empowers technicians to provide exceptional care, add value for pet owners, and improve the overall health of our beloved pets. Our continuing education courses for veterinary technicians help ensure that pets across the country receive high-quality dental care.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (8/22/2024). Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels