Course

Veterinary Dentistry

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Animal Health Technology
Course Code
AHTT 2106
Credits
2.00
Semester Length
8 week course
Max Class Size
30
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
This course will review the basics of companion animal oral anatomy and health, with emphasis on prevention of, and diagnosis of, periodontal disease and oral pathology. Students will learn and practice techniques in routine dental prophylaxis, dental charting, dental radiology, and client education and home care.

Enrollment is limited to students in the Animal Health Technology Program
Course Content

 

  1. Anatomy and physiology of relevant oral structures and dentition, touching on embryology of deciduous teeth and their development into adult structures.
  2. Charting the oral cavity and performing an oral exam:  recognition of occlusion, fractured teeth, crowding, abscesses, poor positioning, and neoplasia of the oral cavity.
  3. Dental instrumentation – identification and care of instruments with an emphasis on proper sharpening and maintenance.
  4. Pathology of periodontal disease and periodontitis.  Clinical signs and treatment of the latter.
  5. Dental prophylaxis (cleaning): the who, what, when and why.
  6. Dental radiology – an introduction and a review of dental x-ray anatomy.
  7. Exotics and pocket pets, and equine dentition.
  8. Oral innervations and local blocks.
  9. Ergonomics, theory of extractions, endodontics, orthodontics.
  10. Marketing and homecare techniques.
Learning Activities

This course includes 1 hour of classroom instruction per week and 3 hours of laboratory instruction including demonstrations and practical experiences, and a weekend day or evening course consisting of intensive laboratory instruction and practical learning.

Means of Assessment

Group Project/Assignments                               30-45%

Final Exam                                                          30%

Laboratory assessments (practical)                    10-30%

Professionalism                                                   10%       

                                                                        100%

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course students will:

  1.  have an entry level ability to perform the standard tasks in veterinary dentistry that are in the scope of the Animal Health Technologist’s role.
  2. recognize normal and abnormal dental anatomy and conditions.
  3.  use dental terminology and identify teeth by both Anatomical and Triadan systems in order to accurately chart dental procedures and conditions.
  4.  recognize and correctly use and care for dental hand instruments.
  5. be competent in recommending home dental care programs to clients.
  6.  understand gingivitis, periodontitis and oral hygiene procedures.
  7. be familiar with dental radiology
Textbook Materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:

  1. Holstrom, Stephen E, Veterinary Denistry for Technicians and Office Staff,  Elsevier/Saunders

Current edition.

Requisites

Prerequisites

AHTT 1101 Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology I

+

AHTT 1203 Veterinary Care II

+

Successful completion of AHT year 1 courses

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for AHTT 2106
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025