Veterinary dentistry is one of the most rewarding and challenging areas of veterinary medicine. As technicians, we’re often the ones responsible for the heavy lifting: scaling and polishing, capturing radiographs, maintaining instruments, and educating clients. Yet, most of us were given only a few hours of dentistry training in tech school. That lack of foundation means mistakes are almost inevitable when we first step into practice.
The good news? Mistakes can be some of the best teachers if we recognize them and know how to avoid them in the future. Continuing education (CE) in veterinary dentistry bridges the knowledge gap, helping technicians sharpen their skills (and their instruments lol), build confidence, and improve patient care.
Let’s look at five of the most common mistakes I see veterinary technicians make in dentistry, along with practical ways to prevent them.
Mistake #1: Skipping or Taking Non-Diagnostic Dental Radiographs
One of the most common and most harmful mistakes in veterinary dentistry is not taking diagnostic dental radiographs. Sometimes practices skip radiographs altogether. Other times, they settle for partial, non-diagnostic images where roots are cut off, anatomy is distorted by elongation or foreshortening, or artifacts like a chevron effect are misinterpreted as disease.
This inevitably leads to painful pathology being left untreated, unnecessary treatments being performed, or serious disease being completely missed. For example, a chevron artifact can be mistaken for a periapical abscess, leading to extractions or root canals that were never needed. On the flip side, missing or distorted roots mean fractures, resorptive lesions, periapical pathology, or retained roots can go undetected, leaving the patient in pain despite a “completed” procedure.
High-quality, full-mouth radiographs are the only way to truly see what’s happening beneath the gumline. Without them, you’re essentially guessing.
How to avoid the mistake:
- Make full-mouth, diagnostic radiographs the standard of care for every dental patient.
- Learn to recognize common artifacts (like chevron effects or even a foramen) to avoid misdiagnosis.
- Practice correct positioning and angulation to consistently capture complete, diagnostic images.
When radiographs are performed correctly, they not only prevent mistakes but also become your greatest tool in advocating for the patient’s comfort and care.
Mistake #2: Skipping or Inaccurate Dental Charting
Dental charting isn’t just a box to check—it’s a legal medical record and the roadmap for treatment. Yet, many technicians either skip charting altogether or record findings incorrectly.
I’ll never forget a case where a dog was referred to us for a root canal. The rDVM had charted the problem tooth as the left maxillary fourth premolar. When we examined the dog and took radiographs, nothing was wrong with that tooth. After much head-scratching, we discovered the real issue was on the right side. Because the original charting was incorrect, we spent extra time and resources assessing the wrong tooth.
Accurate dental charting prevents miscommunication, helps track disease progression, and ensures the right treatment is performed. If you’re unsure about abbreviations, check the official AVDC abbreviation list here. Using standardized terminology keeps everyone on the same page.
How to avoid the mistake:
- Always chart during the procedure, not afterward when details are forgotten.
- Double-check right vs. left, maxillary vs. mandibular, before marking.
- Use AVDC-approved abbreviations for consistency.
Mistake #3: Poor Client Communication
You can be the most skilled veterinary dental technician in the world, but if you can’t explain findings to clients in a clear, approachable way, much of your effort goes unseen.
A client might hesitate at the cost of dental care, but when you show them radiographs, chart notes, and before/after photos, it becomes real. They begin to understand that this isn’t just a “cleaning”—it’s a medical procedure that prevents pain and infection.
How to avoid the mistake:
- Use simple language—say “broken tooth with exposed nerve” instead of “complicated crown fracture.”
- Show radiographs or intraoral photos whenever possible.
- Reinforce the link between oral health and overall health (heart, kidneys, quality of life).
When clients understand the “why,” they’re far more likely to follow through with recommended treatment.
Mistake #4: Misunderstanding Normal Anatomy vs. Pathology
It’s easy to confuse normal variations in oral anatomy for disease, or worse, miss true pathology because it looks “normal.”
For instance, mandibular first premolars are commonly absent or unerupted in dogs. This is overrepresented in brachycephalic breeds. Not every missing tooth is actually missing or an extraction site. A radiograph should be taken of every “missing tooth” to prove if it is missing. On the flip side, a discolored tooth may look intact but could be non-vital, requiring treatment. I’ve also seen both the incisive papilla in dogs and the sublingual molar salivary gland in cats biopsied because they were mistaken for oral masses.
Technicians who lack confidence in anatomy often hesitate to point out findings, fearing they’ll be wrong. But this is exactly where dental CE shines—it gives you the knowledge and confidence to identify abnormalities and communicate them to the veterinarian.
How to avoid the mistake:
- Study normal oral anatomy in both dogs and cats.
- Review images of common pathologies like periodontal disease, tooth resorption, and fractures.
- Participate in hands-on CE that emphasizes identifying anatomy and pathology.
Mistake #5: Using Dull Instruments
Scaling with dull instruments is like trying to cut a steak with a butter knife. It takes longer, causes hand fatigue, and leaves plaque and calculus behind. Worse, it can create microscopic scratches that create a very plaque-retentive surface.
Technicians often don’t realize how quickly scalers and curettes become dull—sometimes after as few as 15–20 uses. In busy practices, instrument sharpening is overlooked, leading to frustration during cleanings and subpar patient care.
How to avoid the mistake:
- Learn proper sharpening techniques (a skill often practiced in CE labs).
- Establish a regular sharpening schedule—weekly is ideal.
- Invest in a high-quality instrument and test sharpness regularly.
Not only will sharp instruments improve your efficiency, but they’ll also save your hands from unnecessary strain.
Final Thoughts: Mistakes Are Steppingstones
Every technician makes mistakes in veterinary dentistry. What matters most is whether we learn from them. With the right veterinary dental CE, technicians can sharpen their skills, avoid common pitfalls, and deliver the level of care pets deserve.
Think of CE as more than just checking a box for license renewal—it’s an investment in your career, your team, and the patients you care for. From mastering radiograph positioning to perfecting charting and client communication, CE builds both confidence and competence.
So, the next time you pick up a scaler or capture a radiograph, remember that avoiding these common mistakes isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being prepared. And that preparation starts with education.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (09/29/2025) Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash