Non-Anesthetic Dentals
1) WHAT IS A NON ANESTHETIC DENTAL? (N.A.D.)
A non anesthetic dental is a dental cleaning procedure which can be effectively accomplished without the use of general anesthesia.
2) WHY IS MY PET BEING RECOMMENDED FOR A N.A.D.?
Your pet will be recommended for a N.A.D., if in the professional opinion of a veterinarian, a N.A.D. is the most APPROPRIATE level of dental care. This will be based on numerous criteria including the following:
A) Is the pet sufficiently cooperative to allow an effective N.A.D. cleaning?
B) Is there sufficient tartar and /or plaque to make a N.A.D. useful in the pet’s dental care program at this time?
C) Is the level of dental disease within the scope of a N.A.D.? For example, if severe gingivitis, loose teeth or periodontal disease are present, your pet is not a candidate for a N.A.D.
D) A N.A.D. may be helpful, even though not ideal, under certain circumstances where other health problems preclude the use of dental cleaning under anesthesia.
3) DOES THIS MEAN MY PET WILL NOT NEED TO HAVE AN ANESTHETIC DENTAL?
NO.
A) If dental disease is present and it is beyond the scope of a N.A.D., your pet will need the appropriate dental care performed under anesthesia.
B) If additional problems, such as loose teeth or periodontal disease, are discovered during a N.A.D., the procedure will be stopped and you will be notified that anesthesia is needed to render the appropriate dental care.
C) Even with regularly scheduled N.A.D., all pets will periodically need dental x-rays and/or deeper cleaning under the gum line, all of which require anesthesia.
4) WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE N.A.D. DONE BY FOOTHILL ANIMAL HOSPITAL AND THE N.A.D. MY GROOMER DOES?
A) At Foothill Animal Hospital, professional evaluation by a veterinarian will assure that a N.A.D. is done only if it is the most appropriate level of dental care for your pet. Also, veterinary supervision is available during the cleaning procedure to evaluate any unexpected findings and to determine if any additional or alternate treatment is needed. The hygienist, Chuck Purkey, is professionally trained and has been performing N.A.D.’s in veterinary hospitals and clinics for over 12 years.
B) N.A.D.’s at your groomer are unfortunately a situation of “one size fits all”. All pets get the same level of treatment regardless of level of need. Unfortunately when owners contribute their time and money for a N.A.D. under these circumstances, they are left with a false sense of security regarding their pet’s dental health. Even worse, the pet is often left with ongoing gum infection, chronic pain and varying levels of halitosis.
