Latest news - March 2010

Research Project for Feline Chronic Stomatitis Gingivitis launched.

From April 2009 we are offering owners of cases of FCGS the option of being included in a research project being run by the Comparative Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics Group at Glasgow University Veterinary School under the direction of Professor David Bennett.
We need 25 cases over two years. These cases will be run clinically by us in the normal manner including elective extractions and interferon therapy where indicated. The advantage to the owners is that all lab work will be performed free of charge. This includes virus isolation and serology, virus and bacterial DNA determination, bacterial culture (including anaerobes), blood biochemistry and hematology and histopathology of tissue. This large research project will also include 180 questionnaires from owners across the UK. Hopefully this detailed project will advance our knowledge on what causes this frustrating condition and help with prevention and treatment.

DentalVets Course launched July 2008 - see Course page

"The best day of CPD I have ever been to." (Victor Bates MRCVS, Abercorn Veterinary Clinics)

Our new dedicated facility in North Berwick provides custom courses for your staff - vets and nurses. We can provide an exclusive day for a practice or you can share with others. If this is of interest you can download our course brochure and FAQ sheet for info plus a testimonial published in Vet Times from a past BSAVA/BVA president. Over 100 practices have used this facility to educate their staff in dentistry. For further information email Fiona Johnston MRCVS at fionadentalvets@aol.com

Downloads -

Course Brochure for Vets

Course Brochure for Nurses

Info & FAQ Sheet

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DentalVets Open Dedicated Clinic

In March 2007 we opened the first dedicated veterinary dental and oral surgical clinic in the UK. This clinic is located in North Berwick to the east of Edinburgh and is intended to serve clients' animals from Scotland and the north of England. Further information and maps are available from the Locations page

Interactive CD - 2010

This programme has been written by us in conjunction with the eMedia/Learning Resources Development Unit of the Royal Veterinary College, London. It is available as a CD-ROM programme to practices and for students on their school intranet.

Sales are nowhandled by ourselves allowing us to make a substantial reduction in the costs previously charged. Payment can be by cheque, cash or PayPal. To order please E-mail us directly on education@dentalvets.co.uk

DentalVets in China & Cambodia

We have been invited to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China by AnimalsAsia Foundation. They rescue bears (primarily Moon Bears aka Asiatic Black Bears) which have been used in Bile Farms. These animals often exist in horrific conditions and are rehabilitated by AnimalsAsia. www.animalsasia.org

During our time there we work together with local AnimalsAsia veterinary and nuring staff to identify and treat fractured teeth, mainly canines, by root filling or extracting. The image below is Norman working on Uli who had four fractured canine teeth with large lucent areas identified in the jaws by previous x-rays performed by AnimalsAsia own veterinary staff. The images below show Uli undergoing surgery. The middle image shows his fractured and infected upper canine teeth (all four were broken and required root filling) and the bottom image shows the resident vets (Paul and Cath) giving him his regular health check including and ultrasound exam of his liver - very important as these bears have had tubes inserted in their gall bladders to harvest the bile. AnimalsAsia's web site (see above) describes this in more detail. The images below show some of the action.

We look forward to further collaberation with the Royal Scottish Zoological Society in 2010. The RSZS has excellent contacts in south east Asia and has projects, in cooperation with the Chinese and Cambodian governments, to assist Giant Pandas and Sun Bears. Watch this space!

Dental CPD Courses

Over 100 UK veterinary practices have now charged us to provide custom courses for their staff. We are able to provide up to three tutors on the day allowing a superb teaching ration for your staff. For full details see our Courses & CPD pages, where a FAQ sheet is available to answer your questions.

Our courses provide the practice with exactly the dental CPD that they want and can target this for staff strategically. Small class sizes ensure good value for money.

If this interests you please contact us by Email at fionadentalvets@aol.com We will send you an info pack by return.

Dental Leadership

For some time now Pfizer Animal Health have provided an initiative called "Dental Leadership" to raise the profile of dentistry and provide education for practice personnel. The area reps have available a selection of high quality literature aimed at the client, consulting room staff and reception area staff explaining some home truths about dental conditions. Combined with dental charts, CE seminars, and therapeutic agents (Antirobe™ and Doxirobe) they are determined to make the practitioner more aware of the scale of dental problems and the business potential in addressing the subject properly. Two bursaries per annum are awarded to VN's to attend courses.

Contact your local rep for details or visit the Dental Leadership website.

Non-invasive methods of jaw fracture

We are currently using non-invasive methods of repair for jaw fractures when possible.

In most cases this involves splinting by bonding composite resins to the teeth without the need for k-wires or external fixators. There are limitations with the invasive methods. Jaws have relatively thin bone and contain many important structures (tooth roots/blood vessels/nerves) easily damaged by pins or screws. Cats and small dogs with relatively simple fractures work best. Bigger dogs and more complex fractures may require a combination of composite resin and interdental or interfragmentary wiring. The main advantage is speed of surgery, lack of trauma from implants and reduction in cost. In addition the patient returns to function very quickly.

Examination success

In 2002, the American Veterinary Dental College and European Veterinary Dental College both formally admitted Norman Johnston as a diplomate.

In 2003 the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons conferred specialist status in Veterinary Dentistry based on credentials submitted covering the previous ten years.

He is now the only person in the world to be fully board certified in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery in the UK, Europe and North America.

London & South East Location

From 1st December 2009 our London & South East location for referral case has been taken over by Paul Hobson. The loaction is still the Runnymede Hill Veterinary Hospital in Egham, Surrey.

Runnymede Hill is an excellent location half a mile off junction 13 of the M25 on the Egham by-pass and between the M3 and M4 motorways. It is a full service veterinary hospital with excellent facilities and residential nursing care. The clinic day varies.

To make a booking please phone reception on 01784 43 63 67 or contact Paul Hobson by this email link or telephone him directly on 07973 510 486

RCVS Changes for Veterinary Nurses

The October 2003 meeting of RCVS Council cleared the confusion created over the years regarding what listed VN's were able to do in the oral cavity under Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act.

It is now clear that the RCVS will not allow listed VN's to extract teeth with instruments unless they are already mobile. In addition, work under the gum line (subgingival) or the creation of flaps for periodontal surgery is also now forbidden to non-veterinarians.

These are major changes and will substantially affect the way many practices work as regards dental work. The RCVS make the point that non-listed VN's or non-qualified staff already have no status in this area.

CT and MRI Scanning

CT and MRI scanning is available at Edinburgh Veterinary School and adds a superb diagnostic dimension for hard to image areas. These images have been very helpful for TMJ problems, caudal mandibles and neoplasms that involve the nasal cavities and the maxilla.