Course

Veterinary Elective Procedures (Dentistry & Surgical Assistance)

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Veterinary Technology
Course code
VTEC 2112
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
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 and detection of periodontal disease and oral pathology. Students will learn and practice techniques in routine dental cleaning and oral hygiene, dental charting, dental radiography, client education, and home care.
This course will also prepare students for live animal surgical assistance labs in the following semester. Topics covered will include aseptic preparation of packs and equipment, preparation of the patient for surgery, surgical scrub, gowning and gloving, and assisting the surgeon in the surgical suite.
Course content

DENTISTRY

1.       Anatomy and physiology of relevant oral structures and dentition, embryology of deciduous teeth and their development into adult structures.

 2.       Oral exam and oral cavity charting: malocclusion, fractured teeth, crowding, dental abscesses, poor positioning and neoplasia of the oral cavity.

 3.       Dental instrumentation: identification and care of instruments with an emphasis on proper use, sharpening and maintenance.

 4.       Pathology of periodontal disease and periodontitis including clinical signs and treatment of the latter.

 5.       Dental cleaning and oral hygiene procedures.

 6.       Dental radiography, developing and recognizing normal dental radiographic anatomy.

 7.       Oral innervation and local anesthetic blocks.

 8.       Ergonomics, theory of extractions, endodontics and orthodontics.

 9.       Marketing and homecare techniques.

 10.     Dental anatomy, pathology, and procedures in horses and small mammals.

SURGICAL NURSING

11. Aseptic technique: disinfection and sterilization, physical and chemical methods of sterilization.

12. Surgical instrumentation and equipment:

  • Autoclave use
  • General surgery instruments: identification, care and maintenance
  • Preparation of sterile surgical packs, surgical drapes and gowns

13. Surgical assistance:

  • Preparation, cleaning & disinfection of the surgical suite
  • Monitoring of surgical suite cleaning & disinfection protocols
  • Appropriate surgical suite conduct (non-sterile personnel)
  • Scrubbing, gowning and sterile gloving
  • Maintenance of sterility when assisting with surgery in the operating suite
  • Patient preparation and positioning
Learning activities

Methods of instruction include lectures, workshops, assignments, on-line quizzes, flipped classroom, discussion board, case studies, student presentations, group work, pre-lab instructional videos, simulation (cadaver) practice as well as live animal practice, in-lab evaluations.

 

Means of assessment

Assessments will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. A final minimum cumulative grade of “C” or 60% is required (in both lecture and lab components) in order to pass this course.

 

Evaluation will be based on:

Assignments                     10-40% (No single evaluation worth more than 25%)

Practical evaluations         20-60% (No single evaluation worth more than 25%)

Midterm                             0-20%

Practical Final exam         10-25%

Theory Final exam            20-40%

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will be able to:

DENTISTRY

  • Perform the tasks in veterinary dentistry that are standard for the veterinary technologist
  • Recognize normal and abnormal dental anatomy and conditions
  • Use dental terminology and identify teeth by both the Anatomic and Triadan systems in order to accurately chart dental procedures and conditions
  • Identify and correctly use and care for dental hand instruments
  • Recommend home dental care programs to clients
  • Describe gingivitis and periodontitis
  • Perform oral hygiene procedures (Simulation [SIM] and live animal)
  • Perform dental radiography (SIM and live animal)

SURGICAL NURSING

  • Discuss appropriate aseptic techniques for the preparation of surgical equipment
  • Recognize and describe the purpose of surgery instruments
  • Prepare and maintain surgical instruments and equipment and prepare surgical packs for sterilisation
  • Prepare surgical gowns, gloves and drapes
  • Perform proper pre-operative surgical suite sanitation
  • Prepare surgical sites using aseptic techniques
  • Perform surgical gloving and gowning without breaking sterility
  • Open surgical packs aseptically and open/ pass instruments and supplies with aseptic technique
Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials.

Requisites

Prerequisites

VTEC 1201 and VTEC 1202 and VTEC 1203 and VTEC 1204 and VTEC 1205

Students in the Veterinary Technology program are required to maintain a minimum grade of (C) in all courses in order to progress in the program.

Corequisites

VTEC 2108 

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.

(Current)

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 VTEC 2112
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025