NAVC offers dentistry summit to address oral disease in pets

Oral disease is common in pets but among the least understood because clinical signs are generally subtle or absent, according to the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC). Patients with dental disease are often in pain and lack clinical signs, the organization said in a press release.

As part of February’s Pet Dental Health Month, the NAVC will offer Level Up: Dentistry, on Thursday, February 24, 2022, a free, virtual event open to veterinary professionals worldwide. This event marks the second offering in the new Level Up educational series available through VetFolio.com.

“Untreated oral disease can lead to many health problems in animals,” said Dana Varble, DVM, CAE, chief veterinary officer for NAVC. “With consistent and thorough assessment and treatment by the veterinary healthcare team, many of the dental issues our pets may develop can be resolved within general practice and without having to send the animal to a specialist. This is a benefit to all—the veterinary clinic, client and, most important of all, the patient.”

Level Up: Dentistry will address dental techniques that veterinary professionals can immediately apply in their respective clinics, enabling primary care veterinary team members to improve their client relationships and patient care.

The Level Up: Dentistry includes 3 interactive sessions, including the following:

The Gold Standard—Steps to a COHAT: Mary L. Berg, BS, RVT, RLATG, VTS (Dentistry), president of Beyond the Crown Veterinary Education, will walk attendees through the proper Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) steps and explain why it is more than just a teeth cleaning.

Managing Difficult Extractions and Extraction Complications in the Dog: There are many possible reasons why a dog might need a tooth extracted, whether due to a fracture or periodontal disease, according to NAVC. Sandra Manfra Marretta, DVM, DACVS, AVDC, a professor emerita in small animal surgery and dentistry at the University of Illinois, will lead a discussion on how to make difficult extractions in dogs more efficient, less traumatic and with fewer complications.

Difficulties in Opening and Closing the Mouth: Differentials and Treatments: When presented with a patient that is having difficulty opening their mouth, the clinician is faced with challenges that are often life-threatening. Boaz Arzi, DVM, DAVDC, DEVDC, FF-AVDC-OMFS, an associate professor of dentistry and oral surgery at the department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, will inform practitioners of the possible differential diagnosis, imaging, and therapeutic options.

Level Up: Dentistry participants will receive 3 continuing education credits.To learn more about the program or to register, visit vetfolio.com/pages/levelup.

“Participation in the Level Up: Dentistry is open to veterinarians and veterinary nurses and technicians who are partners in the care of our animals,” said Gene O’Neill, CEO of NAVC, in an organizational press release. “This free summit is another example of the NAVC’s commitment to providing unparalleled opportunities that foster lifelong learning for the veterinary community while promoting the advancement of animal care everywhere.”

The Level Up virtual series is part of NAVC’s VirtualXP division, launched last October with a global summit for veterinary nurses and technicians. Through VirtualXP, the NAVC provides a portfolio of virtual learning and events customized to individual learning preferences. VirtualXP complements the NAVC’s industry-leading in-person events and includes interactive virtual summits, live webinars and the microlearning videos series VetFolio Bytes.

Reference

The North American Veterinary Community’s Level Up: Dentistry Summit helps veterinary professionals expand their skills and knowledge in oral care. News release. NAVC. February 17, 2022. Accessed February 18, 2022. https://navc.com/veterinary-professionals-expand-oral-care-skills-at-level-up-dentistry/