Anesthesia-Free Dental Cleaning For your Pets
Each anesthesia-free dental cleaning is performed without general anesthesia or sedation using the same cleaning techniques and instruments as dental cleanings performed under general anesthesia. All of the teeth are cleaned and polished.
Anesthesia-free dentals are performed by Animal Dental Care which is owned and operated by certified dental technician, Ken Kurtz. Ken and his team have a great deal of experience and regularly perform dental cleanings on dogs and cats throughout California and other states.
This type of minimal dental was developed for animals that are geriatric or those which have a chronic disease or condition where routine dental cleaning under general anesthesia could possibly result in the death of the patient.
Heartworm, Erhlica, Anaplasma, Lyme's called a 4Dx test, Fecal (stool) with Giardia, and vaccinations (decided by doctor at time of pre-examination office call) are required for Non-Anesthetic Dentals. If your pet needs bloodwork drawn, we require you have the lab work done prior to the dental procedure because we do not have in-house diagnostics.
If your pet needs antibiotics, probiotics will also be prescribed and need to be picked up and your pet started on them 24 to 48 hours prior to dental cleaning unless otherwise specified by the doctor. If you have any questions or would like to set up a dental, please give us a call.
Please note* All non-anesthetic dental requirements are needed prior to a dental cleaning appointment: (No Exceptions)
Dr. Jyl talks about Anesthesia-Free Dental Cleaning
What To Expect
Most dental cleanings take 20-30 minutes to complete. Due to limited kennel space, we kindly ask that you wait for your pet during this procedure. If your pet has a large amount of tartar or inflamed gums, our doctors may prescribe antibiotics to be given 48 hours before the dental cleaning and continued for at least 5 days after the procedure. They are not required in all patients.
Dental cleanings without anesthesia are available at VC once a month. The next dental days are:
February 29
March 28
April 25
June 27
August 29
October 24
February 6
March 20
April 3
June 5
July 31
September 25
November 20
The schedule for next year will be available near the end of the year. We can put you on a waiting list for 2024 and give you a call once the dental schedule is available. We require 48 hours’ notice for cancellations so that other pets may be scheduled. Two cancellations will require prepayment for the service and the service will be non-refundable if it is cancelled.
All animals referred to our hospital must also be examined by the VC doctor prior to the procedure. Either the primary veterinarian or VC doctor will make the decision as to which pets require antibiotics prior to cleaning. Chinese herbal prescriptions, laser or ozone may also be given for any inflammation depending on the case. These may be combined with antibiotics or used alone.
Imagine how your teeth would look and feel if you didn’t brush them daily. The same applies to your pets’ teeth. Bad breath and stained teeth are unappealing, but many pet owners aren’t aware that these may be symptoms of serious gum disease.
We provide anesthesia-free dental cleaning to both dogs and cats Our goal is to provide our Sacramento area pet owners with the best possible oral care for their pets and to help educate pet owners on how good dental care contributes to the overall good health of our pets.
Our Proprietary 7-step professional teeth cleaning is performed without the use of anesthesia which also offers pet owners an alternative method for cleaning and maintaining their pet’s teeth. Additionally, we provide advice on brushing and caring for your pets’ teeth at home.
Our dental technicians are highly qualified to perform a thorough dental exam on your pet without the use of anesthesia. During the examination our technicians will chart any abnormalities or concerns regarding your pet’s oral health. The next step is removing all of the plaque above and below the gum line.
When we are finished removing the buildup, we will polish the teeth using a fluoride-based pumice. Following your pet’s dental exam our technicians can assist you in getting started on a home maintenance program to ensure the overall health of your pet.
Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most common conditions seen in pets today. The problem begins when plaque and tartar are allowed to build up on your pet’s teeth. Plaque harbors the bacteria, which can infect gum tissue and the roots of teeth resulting in disease and tooth loss.
Besides the negative impact on the oral health, bacteria can enter the blood stream through the large blood vessels located near the gums and teeth. At this stage, the organs with the highest blood flow are most susceptible to infections: lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and even the brain. Damage to these organs caused by infection can shorten the lives of our pets.
It may be recommended by your veterinarian to administer antibiotics prior to, and after, your pets dental cleaning. As of 2012, anesthesia free dentals are required by law to be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. All anesthetic free dental cleanings are required to have a veterinarian examine the pet prior to the dental cleaning.
Vet Connection, Inc. requires a complete physical examination within a minimum of 24 to 48 hours prior to the cleaning. Anesthetic Free dentals are performed only at the veterinary clinic and are not performed during house calls or as a mobile call.
Anesthetic free dentals are performed once a month at the clinic only and appointments book up quickly. Please call ahead to assure an appointment time for your pets dental cleaning. Only dental cleanings under anesthesia are performed at house calls. No anesthetic free dentals are performed at mobile house calls.
Anesthetic free dentals require a current Rabies vaccination or current titer, a Fecal (stool) with the Giardia test, and heartworm examination (a 4DX test which includes, Heartworm, Erhlicia, Lyme’s, and Anaplasma). Other vaccinations (excluding Rabies vaccines may be required depending on the Doctors discretion at the time of the pre physical examination appointment). There are no exceptions. These services can be provided by your regular veterinarian or by our office upon examination (all medical records must be sent to the office prior to your pet’s appointment and dental cleaning).
See below Dental Regulations (Practice of veterinary medicine defined) in the State of California:
Dental Regulations (Practice of veterinary medicine defined)
Regulations regarding who can perform dental procedures2037. Dental Operation, Defined.
The term "dental operation" as used in Business and Professions Code section 4826 means:
(1) The application or use of any instrument or device to any portion of an animal's tooth, gum or any related tissue for the prevention, cure or relief of any wound, fracture, injury or disease of an animal's tooth, gum or related tissue; and
(2) Preventive dental procedures including, but not limited to, the removal of calculus, soft deposits, plaque, stains or the smoothing, filing or polishing of tooth surfaces.
(3) Nothing in this regulation shall prohibit, however, any person from utilizing cotton swabs, gauze, dental floss, dentifrice, toothbrushes or similar items to clean an animal's teeth.
NOTE Authority cited:
Section 4808, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 4826, Business and Professions Code.
HISTORY
1. New section filed 4-2-90; operative 5-2-90 (Register 90, No. 14).
Section 4826, Business and Professions Code. Practice of veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry, Defined.
Any person practices veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry, and the various branches thereof, when he or she does any one of the following:
(a) Represents himself or herself as engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine, veterinary surgery, or veterinary dentistry in any of its branches.
(b) Diagnoses or prescribes a drug, medicine, appliance, application, or treatment of whatever nature for the prevention, cure or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily injury, or disease of animals.
(c) Administers a drug, medicine, appliance, application, or treatment of whatever nature for the prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily injury, or disease of animals, except where the drug, medicine, appliance, application, or treatment is administered by a registered veterinary technician or an unregistered assistant at the direction of and under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian subject to Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 4832). However, no person, other than a licensed veterinarian, may induce anesthesia unless authorized by regulation of the board.
(d) Performs a surgical or dental operation upon an animal.
(e) Performs any manual procedure for the diagnosis of pregnancy, sterility, or infertility upon livestock or Equidae.
(f) Uses any words, letters or titles in such connection or under such circumstances as to induce the belief that the person using them is engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine, veterinary surgery, or veterinary dentistry. This use shall be prima facie evidence of the intention to represent himself or herself as engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine, veterinary surgery, or veterinary dentistry.
