A Limited, Lower-Cost Dental Procedure Can Improve Owner-Reported Canine Health and Welfare for Dogs With Severe Dental Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Dental disease is nearly ubiquitous in dogs, with small breeds being particularly afflicted. Dogs with any degree of dental disease require evaluation and treatment under general anesthesia, which is financially out of reach for many pet owners. The objective of this study was to document the impact of a lower-cost dental procedure on dog health and quality of life (QoL) among a population of small breed dogs with severe dental disease who lacked access to dental care.

Methods: Client-owned small breed dogs received a dental examination and cleaning under anesthesia. Full-mouth radiographs were taken and repeated after extractions. The veterinarian performing the procedure was blinded to the radiographs, which were reviewed by a general practitioner with a special interest in dentistry. The actions of the procedure veterinarian were compared with the recommendations from the radiographs. Owners completed questionnaires measuring dog health and QoL before the procedure, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post-dental procedure. Dental exams and radiographs were repeated for each dog after at least 6 months.

Results: 56 dogs were enrolled, and 40 completed all parts of the study. Most owners had been waiting more than 1 year for the dental procedure to be scheduled due to cost concerns. Owner-reported health and QoL were higher 1 month and 6 months post-procedure. The procedure veterinarian performed the recommended action (as suggested by dental radiograph review) 85% of the time.

Conclusions: In small breed dogs with severe dental disease, radiographs were minimally helpful in determining treatment decisions. An abbreviated dental procedure improved dog health and QoL as assessed by the owner. Given that many owners delay or never schedule dental procedures due to the cost, making them more affordable is essential to improve access.