Anesthesia-free dentistry for pets: Still a bad idea
By Christie Keith
October 11, 2008
I was running an errand this morning, and had to park in front of my former dog groomer’s shop. She isn’t my “former” groomer for anything to do with her — she was wonderful. I just switched to a mobile groomer during the pet food recall, and then stopped getting the dogs groomed at all after the mutant germ from outer space took over our lives.
I had a very high opinion of the former groomer. She did a terrific job on the dogs, had many years of experience, and her place was spotless. And while I was parking, I noticed a sign in her window that made me laugh out loud (and hit the curb, in fact):
Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy.
But hanging right next to that sign was another that wiped the smile off my face. It was the announcement that the grooming shop was now offering “anesthesia-free dentistry” by Canine Care.
My objections to so-called “anesthesia-free dentistry” include the fact that it’s a cosmetic practice only and has no benefit to the dog’s dental health — but it will give you, the owner, a false sense of having done something beneficial for your dog, when all you did was make him prettier.
There’s also the fact that scraping the teeth without being able to completely examine them and polish out the rough patches and grooves simply allows oral disease to go unnoticed and creates a matrix for the rapid re-colonization of bacteria on the teeth.
It also fails to get at the bacterial buildup where it’s doing its damage, under the gumline.
As for Canine Care, in 2004, the Veterinary Medical Board of California ordered the owner of Canine Care, Cindy Collins, to stop “teaching, performing and directing others to perform” the procedure, after administrative law judge Ralph B. Dash said she should be “permanently enjoined” from doing so.
What’s particularly ironic is that her defense for the charges brought against her was exactly my first point: that the procedure was not a veterinary procedure — illegal for a non-veterinarian to perform in California — because it was simply cosmetic and had no health benefit. Judge Dash responded that “The fact that it fails (to help the animal) . . . does not convert a veterinary dental procedure into a purely cosmetic one.”
I was not able to find anything anywhere that suggested this ruling had been overturned or amended, so I have no idea why this company is still doing business at grooming shops all over California (because, yo, I let my hairdresser clean my teeth all the time).
Regardless of the legal issues involved, I’m sad to see this otherwise lovely, reputable grooming shop falling onto the scare-tactic bandwagon of confounding tooth-scraping with professional dental cleaning. And I’m even sadder to see people’s understandable fear of anesthesia being played on by those who want to make a few bucks.
If you want more details on the problems with these cosmetic dentistries, you can read my articles here and here.
And if you want to know what you can do to protect your dogs against both dental disease and anesthesia risk, then brush your dogs’ teeth every single day, and stop feeding them starch-containing foods (which means kibble). If you can’t or won’t do that, or if those steps alone don’t keep your dogs’ mouths healthy, then face the reality that you cannot properly clean and examine a dog’s teeth, gums, and mouth without anesthesia, and devote your efforts to finding the best, safest anesthetic protocol for your pet.
But please, don’t fall for the “anesthesia-free dentistry” pitch.
Somehow I’d missed your first two articles on this. Thanks for addressing it again.
My own dog underwent this “anesthesia-free” dentistry two or three years ago when we were first exposed to it here in Florida. Though the board-certified veterinary dentists we know were appalled at the very thought, all three of the vets in our practice thought it might be cool to see how much they could really do—using my Frenchie Sophie Sue as a model. (btw, They promised polishing and “beneath the gumline” work.)
Sophie is normally a model patient but she struggled under their care and, ultimately, got a pretty crappy job. Three months later she had more tartar on her teeth than ever—most likely because of their inability to properly polish after scraping.
Since then I’ve properly treated her teeth under anesthesia and have been able to keep the tartar easily under control (as before the “anesthesia-free” procedure) with simple brushing and weekly raw, meaty bones (which I take away after she starts to grind away directly on the bone so as not to risk any dental fractures).
That’s MY story but your post raises another issue:
Why is it that when vets like me urge people to stay away from this procedure we’re often viewed as selfishly protecting our industry? If I would much rather anesthetize my own pets than risk the discomfort and poor health outcome of “anesthesia-free” dentals I’d think it would be clear: It’s just not worth it.
Thanks for offering your own para-industrial take on a procedure I think wastes people’s money, plays ruthlessly on their fears and harms our pets. It always helps to have the message come from a non-vet with nothing to gain or lose except her sparkling reputation.
Comment by Dr Patty Khuly — October 12, 2008 @ 6:59 am
I have to STRONGLY DISAGREE. I am in the process of becoming dental certified, and I think non-anesthesia dentals are great.(although i do think animals should get RADS around 2 incase of any diciduous or non-eruptive teeth) Not only for the high risk patients (heart disease, murmers, liver/kidney disease), but also for any routine dental… why not? If an animal can get the same treatment it needs without anesthisia then why not? Nowaday veterinarians are recommending dentals every 6 MONTHS! For most animals living to 12-15 yrs old that would be going under anesthesia 22-26 times in their life time! The non-anesthetic dental technicians are very knowledgable and patient, with what they do. Most have the new technology necessary to have an effective/safe cleaning done, (like the ceramic tip ultrasonic cleaner ,generating no heat to the tip, and minimizing the amount of water/chlorohex solution needed to adequetly clean) The key to the treatment is patience… most canines/felines that receive the treatment eventually get use to it and simply sit back and relax as we would at the dentist. Most people think of non-anestheitc dental as some one pinning down animal and fighting it until it surrends, but it is completly opposite. During the procedure the technician 1. Charts the mouth 2. Probes 3. Subgingival scaling 4. Ultrasonic scaling 5. Polish 6. Floride 7. Chlorohex and smile! If a technician sees any abnormallities or believes the animal would be a better canidate for anesthetia they will report it to the Veterinarian. What anesthesia free dentistry dose is like no other. Im not saying being under anesthesia is unsafe, if using the right medications and monitroing properly it is 100% effective. But if there is not a need to Do x-rays, have extractions, or any other kind of dental surgery then why? So, next time you go to the dentist for your routine dental, ask what they do when they have a difficult child patient. Im sure he wont say “Put them under Anesthesia!”
Comment by Suzanne CVT — March 3, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
Suzanne, I understand you are learning to do this procedure, but the picture you paint is a falsely rosey one.
First, virtually all anesthesia free dental cleaning is done not even remotely as you describe, but by groomers. You keep saying, “This is how you imagine it, not how it is,” but I’m afraid you’ve got it backwards.
Most veterinarians and vet techs are horrified at the practice of anesthesia free dental cleanings, and thus don’t offer them in their offices, so the “norm” you describe is almost impossible to locate at all, let alone common, let alone “the way it is.”
Second, did you read either of the two articles I linked to? Every point you raised was refuted by a board certified veterinary dental specialist or registered vet tech who is also specially certified in both dentistry and anesthesia. I encourage you to scroll back up in this post and click on those links, because what you believe is not accurate.
As Daniel Moynihan famously said, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.”
Comment by Christie Keith — March 3, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
Canine Care has 300+ clinics and is growing in the state of California. Evidently the State Vet Med Board does not care or can not do anything about anesthesia free dental cleaning for cats and dogs. Based on the growth in this business, everyone should get into it. At $30 profit per animal and 20 animals per clinic, the math works out. $600 per clinic means that Cindy Collins makes about $180K per month. Who cares about the government.
Comment by CC — May 23, 2009 @ 12:13 pm
I recently visited one of these clinics that you’re talking about to find out about the non anesthesia teeth cleaning, asked questions that got stired up by these comments. 1.) found out that the groomer does not do the teeth cleaning. 2) The technicians have excellent backgrounds in the animal field, human dental field or has a BS in animal science 3) It is very easy because you can get your dogs teeth cleaned AND their haircut all in one day at a reasonable price!
I immediately scheduled an appointment and loved the results. The customers that were coming out that were on the monthly maintenance had nothing but wonderful things to say about this company and their technicians. Some of the customers have been following canine care since it stated in the early 80s.
Christie, I respect how strongly you feel about your opinion. Just as you have yours we are entitled to have our own about this procedure and mine is that it was a wondeful experience. I tell everyone about it and go every six months. Calvin (my dog) is the love of my life and I only want the best for him and his health and what ever I choose for him as being his owner is my right and no one elses, not even the vet boards.
Comment by Megan — October 13, 2009 @ 5:09 pm
It is very easy because you can get your dogs teeth cleaned AND their haircut all in one day at a reasonable price!
And you think that makes it good medicine?
At best, all they’ve done is make your dog’s teeth look prettier while doing NOTHING AT ALL to improve his dental health or the condition of his teeth under the gums.
At worst, they are covering up dental problems that require x-rays and professional care from a veterinary dentist, because now your dog’s teeth are all white and pretty so you can go on as if nothing is wrong. Because if something is, you have no way of knowing.
And they also put your dog at risk of aspirating dental debris or having his blood infected by oral bacteria.
Nothing you said here addresses any of those issues.
Comment by Christie Keith — October 13, 2009 @ 8:24 pm
I agree with Christie. Reports I have had from vets whose clients have gone elsewhere for anesthesia-free “dentistry” (ugh, and my apologies to the actual dentists out there for using that term in this context) have reported the need for more frequent visits, damage to tooth enamel from overzealous scraping, and even injuries to the back and neck from the restraint.
These animals are receiving neither a full veterinary exam in many cases, nor are they given dental radiographs to catch underlying disease, as Christie indicated.
A veterinary colleague told me of sad tale about how someone she knew had put together a demonstration about anesthesia-free teeth cleaning, and she allowed her own dog to serve as the demo dog. This dog arrested during the procedure; that’s right, had a cardiac arrest, presumably due to the stress either of the procedure or the restraint, or both. Did the person stop “believing in” anesthesia-free cleanings? No.
This raises an additional question: although some may choose anesthesia-free teeth cleanings to avoid the risk of anesthesia, how well will the patient’s cardiovascular system and musculoskeletal structure deal with the stress of the restraint? We know from research that restraint stress alone in experimental animals can markedly alter physiologic variables and skew results.
I remember hearing about cases in which videos were obtained showing how much restraint this one anesthesia-free tooth cleaner used; this person would not ordinarily let anyone watch so there was an investigation. A complaint arose because during one of the restraint procedures, an animal’s jaw was fractured.
For those who still insist on taking their animals for these sub-standard cleanings, I think you should at least watch the procedure to see how your animal is doing and intervene if you feel they are being injured, and then take them in for a regular veterinary dental examination afterward to see what was missed.
It may be eye-opening.
Comment by Dr. Narda — October 14, 2009 @ 7:38 am
Non anesthetic detal cleanings are unqestionable and benificial for dogs and cats.Not all are good canidates for this treatment due to certain condtions.This treatment is being offered at thousands of Veternary Hospitals through out the country.Yes non anesthetic detal cleanings.This treatment is incorporated into the traditional dental treatments to offer a the patient the finest dental care possible for their patients.The nonanesthetic treatment includes sonic scaling and polishing above and below the gum line.The idea of nonanesthetic treatments can not be done in a safe and effective manner are false when the treatment is done by Veterinary hospitals all over the country.The problem lies in untrained dental pet store or grooming tecs that are not trained by doctors and have no doctors supervision these people are giving this benificial treatment a bad name.These pet store owners,groomers,and companies offering this treatment with out the supervision of a licenced Veternarian should be fined and have criminal charges filed.This teatment can be performed only by trained dental tecs under the supervision of a Veternarian and have such a benifit to the animal being treated to ensure that the animal is getting the best dental care possible.Seeing is believing
Comment by Robert — October 19, 2009 @ 10:27 am
Non anesthetic detal cleanings are unqestionable
New here?
Okay, not fair, as I know you are.
NOTHING, NOTHING is unquestionable. That’s terrible medicine and frankly, a dangerous attitude to have about anything at all.
That line of thinking is exactly why we have things like the pet food recall. And combating that line of thinking is exactly what I do for a living.
You make a lot of sweeping generalizations and statements awash in meaningless marketing lingo. Bring me some proof of what you say. Evidence. Citations. Something. Anything. I’m perfectly willing to change my mind about something, but you have not addressed any of the concerns I raise about this procedure.
You wanna participate here, you have to do better than that, Robert.
Comment by Christie Keith — October 19, 2009 @ 11:05 am
Hi you are taking my information out of context and taking it in your own direction with you first statement about my knowlege of the nonanethetic dental treatments.I am leading the tecnology of nonanethetic dentals by working with licensed veterinarn in this field.If you would like you to educate your self more on this subject and lose the close minded metality of your terms of a nonanesthetic dental treatment.Its sounds like you are basing your knowledge on the fact that untrained pet store people or groomers who do this treatment make it unbelievable that this treatment cannot be done with out anesthesia.I have a list of Veterinary Hospitals who offer nonanethetic treatments to their patients.Their tecs are vet trained in this treatment with great benifit to their patients.I would like to invite you to one of these hospitals to see this treatment performed by their tecs.I agree we need enforcement on non Vet teeth cleaning in pet stores and groomers.We need to stop them due to their poor training and lack of vet training and supervision.Again nonanethetic treatments are a great benefit to animals who are good canidates for this treatment not all qualify for this.Thats why this treatment should only be done by the supervision of a vet.
Comment by Robert — October 19, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
Robert, you didn’t include any information for me to take out of or in context. Where is your evidence?
I interviewed vets and vet techs for my article. ALL strongly opposed this practice, as does the certfiying board of American veterinary dentists. You say you have a “list” of veterinarians who do this? You say THOUSANDS of veterinary hospital do this?
Prove it.
Comment by Christie Keith — October 19, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
I first would like you to answer these questions.Have you talked to a Veternarian who offers this treatment?Have you ever had a complaint by anyone about a Veternarian who has performed this treatment.?I will prove it by you seeing the treatment for you self at one of these hospitals.
Comment by Robert — October 19, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
Robert: This is my house. My rules. You answer my questions first.
However, no. Every vet I know is horrified by this.
Comment by Christie Keith — October 19, 2009 @ 4:34 pm
If you have any questions for me about this treatment feel free.It sounds like you need a positive sorce of information supporting this treatment.It sounds like the vets you have interviewed lack the ability or the training to teach the treatment of nonanesthetic dentals to their staff or have the information on how to get this special training for this treatment.As for the medical boards opinion on this matter they are baseing their judgement on negative feed back by patients who have had this treatment done by non vet practitioners.I asure you that the vet board is aware that this treatment is offerd by vets it is just not adoped yet because the majority of vets in this country just dont have the training available to them so they discount it.No vet wants to admit he or she does not have the training for this or not knowing where to get proper training for this treatment.
Comment by Robert — October 19, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
Robert, surely you can name three veterinarians who perform this service. It’s really standing out that so far you’ve just emoted about how unfair Christie is being, and condescended to her, but not actually provided any hard information at all.
And, of course, repeatedly misspelled “anesthetic” and “veterinarian.” Unfair as it probably seems to you, that’s the kind of mistake that tends to undermine credibility.
Comment by Lis — October 19, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
Robert, let me share a piece of wisdom from my many years on the Interwebz:
The first rule of holes: When you’re in one, stop digging.
Comment by Christie Keith — October 19, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
Seriously, dude, if you can’t cough up some actual, you know, facts, you’re either a shill or a troll, or both.
And really: Spell-check. Bad spelling isn’t always a sign of idiocy, but the smart money can place the bets that way.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — October 19, 2009 @ 5:49 pm
Based on the ominous warning my Firefox gave me when I clicked onto “Robert’s” name-link, he may be significantly worse than a regular commercial troll.
Comment by H. Houlahan — October 19, 2009 @ 8:51 pm
Indeed. I’m curious about what he was trying to lure us into, but not curious enough to risk my computer.
Comment by Lis — October 20, 2009 @ 5:02 am
I removed his URL link to prevent and possible viral infection to readers’ computers.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — October 20, 2009 @ 6:39 am
If you can speculate that i am not a expert in the animal dental field by my typing skills you are mistaken.I am not digging a hole any of you who can not do research to find a vet who offers this treatment is just very uneducated in this treatment.I will talk to a few of the doctors to set the record strait and to educate you in your lack of information about this treatment that many doctor have been providing this treatment for over fifteen years.I do not believe you are open to the real facts about this treatment.Since all you know is negative feed back by the treatment by non vet practitioners who work for pet groomers.
Comment by Robert — October 20, 2009 @ 7:17 am
“Robert,” take it somewhere else. You’ve had multiple chances to cough up some evidence or even identify yourself so we can judge your credentials, and all we’ve seen is illiterate shilling from an obvious troll.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — October 20, 2009 @ 7:25 am
I want to know about this “restraint.”
I guess I didn’t think about it when I first read this post. I can do a simple tooth-scaling on my own dogs while they practically snooze, with their heads in my lap. The only “restraint” is training and trust. So it didn’t occur to me.
How do these people immobilize an uncooperative animal well enough to even get in there?
I had minor surgery on an eye once, and had to hold perfectly still. I could do that because I’m an adult human who understood and consented to the procedure, and understood the consequences of squirming. Also, could tell the doc when the numbing had taken effect and when it might start to wear off. I don’t care how well-trained an animal is, they can’t pull that off.
The “restraint” I’m picturing is some combination of Hannibal Lector and Alex DeLarge.
Comment by H. Houlahan — October 20, 2009 @ 7:30 am
I can’t believe how ugly some of you have been in the exchange of dialogue. Everything from troll calling to spelling police. Can you not try kindness instead?
Comment by denise — November 13, 2009 @ 11:30 am