Oral Examination, Recording and Treatment Planning

Dentistry encompasses conditions of all structures of the oral cavity, namely teeth (hard tissues and periodontium), oral mucosa, salivary glands etc. Some conditions can be managed successfully in general practice and some need referral to a specialist for treatment. The general practitioner needs to recognize the conditions, be able to perform a full diagnostic workup, realise the clinical significance of the findings and institute treatment (in house or referral) as required.

Oral conditions and diseases are a diagnostic challenge. Several disease conditions are generally present simultaneously. The great majority of dogs and cats will have gingivitis and or periodontitis as well as other problems. Moreover, clinical signs are rarely specific, i.e. malodour, changing in eating patterns, dysphagia are indications that there is a problem in the oral cavity, but they are not necessarily specific for a particular disease. Finally, manifestations of disease are often discrete and are often not detected on conscious clinical examination. Even if they are detected on conscious examination, general anaesthesia is required to evaluate theextent of pathology. The importance of a full oral exam under general anaesthesia (definitive examination) cannot be underestimated. [...]