What’s Involved In a Dental Scale and Polish?
Professional dental cleaning is crucial to maintaining your pet's oral health. A dental scale and polish offers numerous benefits, including:
Prevention of dental disease
Pain reduction
Improved breath odour
Prevention of tooth loss
Reduced risk of infections
Enhanced overall health and quality of life
Longer lifespan
Cost savings in the long run
Dental Scale and Polish - Step By Step
Here’s what’s involved in our dental scale and polish process, from the time your furbaby is admitted to hospital until they are discharged into your care at the end of the day:
1. Admission with the Surgical Team Upon arrival at the veterinary clinic, your pet will be admitted to the care of our surgical team. They will assess your pet's overall health and discuss the procedure with you. You will be asked if your pet has fasted overnight, and if they are on any medications.
2. Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Testing
Depending on your pet's age, breed and health history, pre-anaesthetic blood tests may be conducted to ensure that your pet is a suitable candidate for anaesthesia. These tests help identify any underlying medical conditions that may increase the risk of anaesthesia.
3. IV Fluid Therapy
Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy is often administered to maintain your pet's hydration and support their vital organs during the procedure. It also helps in the rapid elimination of anaesthesia drugs after the procedure.
4. Comfortable Ward
Your pet is placed in a comfortable ward tailored to their species (dog or cat). For dogs, a soft bed with an Adaptil diffuser (a pheromone calming aid) and soothing background music is provided. Cats are placed in a quiet area with dimmed lighting and a hidey hole, along with a Feliway diffuser (a pheromone calming product) to reduce stress.
5. Dedicated Veterinary Team
A dedicated veterinarian and surgical nurse will be responsible for your pet's care throughout the day. They will monitor your pet's vital signs, administer anaesthesia, perform the dental procedure, and ensure a smooth recovery.
6. Dental X-Rays
Dental X-rays are a crucial part of the procedure. They allow our veterinarians to evaluate the health of teeth below the gumline, where many dental issues are not visible to the naked eye. X-rays help in identifying fractures, abscesses or other hidden problems.
7. Dental Charting
Each tooth is individually examined, and the condition of each tooth is recorded on a dental chart. This chart helps track the progression of dental disease and plan for any necessary extractions or treatments.
8. Use of Human-Grade Equipment
Our vets use human-grade dental scalers and polishers to remove plaque and tartar buildup from your pet's teeth effectively. This ensures a thorough cleaning and reduces the risk of oral infections.
9. Pain Control
Pain control is a priority during and after the dental procedure. Your pet will receive pain medication to ensure they are comfortable during their recovery.
10. Before & After Photos
Before the procedure, photos of your pet's oral condition are taken to document the extent of dental issues. After the scale and polish, additional photos may be taken to show the improvement in their oral health and appearance.
11. Tailored Advice
Our veterinary team will provide you with personalised advice on how to keep your pet's mouth clean and healthy. This may include recommendations for dental chews, toothbrushing or specific dental diets.
12. Discharge with Surgical Team
Once your pet has recovered from anaesthesia and is stable, we will call you to arrange a time for discharge from hospital. The surgical team will provide you with post-operative care instructions, including any necessary medications, feeding guidelines and follow-up appointments.
A dental scale and polish for pets is not only about improving the appearance of their teeth but also about safeguarding their health and well-being. Regular dental care is an essential part of responsible pet ownership and can contribute to a longer, healthier life for your pet.
If you have any questions about the dental scale and polish procedure, please call our qualified team on (03) 9568 2211.
