09/04/2026
🦷 Why this dog is NOT a candidate for a non-anesthetic dental
This patient has heavy calculus, gum recession, inflammation, and deep periodontal pockets. At this stage, removing the visible tartar simply isn’t enough.
This patient needs veterinary attention and an anesthetic dental, where the teeth can be properly evaluated and deep cleaned below the gumline.
This is exactly why we require a consultation prior to every cleaning. Not every pet is an appropriate candidate for a non-anesthetic dental, and recognizing when veterinary treatment is needed is extremely important.
As a veterinary technician, I stand strongly behind making sure every pet receives the level of care they need. If I believe a pet needs an anesthetic dental, I will never perform a non-anesthetic cleaning just to make the teeth look better.
Healthy teeth are about more than what we can see. 🦷
