Suitcase Dentistry Initiative: A Model for Expanding Spectrum of Care Education in Veterinary Dentistry through Shelter Partnerships [Abstract]

Abstract

Introduction

Dental disease is one of the most prevalent conditions affecting companion animals, yet its treatment remains out of reach for many due to cost, equipment limitations, and workforce training gaps^1-3. For veterinary graduates, proficiency in dentistry is an expected competence in small animal veterinary practice, but many report feeling underprepared to perform basic procedures like dental nerve blocks and surgical tooth extractions^1-4. This lack of preparation affects clinical confidence, which leads to delays in critical dentistry care for animals in need, and is further compounded by resource constraints veterinary graduates face in non-tertiary care settings². The Suitcase Dentistry Initiative (SDI) was developed to respond to these challenges by integrating spectrum of care (SoC) concepts into veterinary dental education while simultaneously expanding access to dentistry services in underserved shelter settings.

Description

Designed by faculty at Colorado State University (CSU), the SDI delivers hands-on clinical dentistry experiences to veterinary students through supervised dental clinics hosted at regional animal shelters. These clinics utilize a portable suite of professional-grade dental equipment that can be easily transported and potentially shared between partner groups, allowing for safe and effective treatment in non-tertiary care clinical settings. Student teams, supervised by a board-certified veterinary dentist and general practitioners, perform thorough oral exams, obtain and interpret dental radiographs, and carry out dental extractions with appropriate analgesia and anesthesia protocols. The educational approach emphasizes SoC decision-making, pain management, and safe technique tailored to both patient needs and resource limitations. This emphasis supports student competence in the incorporation of animal welfare, client expectations and economic considerations, as well as adaptation to varied scenarios and contexts, outlined in domain 1.4 and 1.6 of the day-one core competencies in veterinary dentistry, respectively¹. The program prioritizes shelters already equipped for anesthesia and experiencing high dental caseloads, including our partner NOCO Humane, an open-admission animal shelter in Northern Colorado. Prior to participation, students complete classroom and laboratory training on core dentistry competencies and SoC principles. Their knowledge and confidence are assessed before and after dental clinics to evaluate educational outcomes. Shelter-level data on patient selection, procedures performed, and clinical outcomes will also be tracked.

Outcomes

Surveys of student preparedness continue to highlight dentistry as an area of low confidence upon graduation, despite its high frequency in small animal veterinary practice^2,3,4. By embedding students in authentic, supervised animal shelter environments, the SDI offers a unique opportunity to bridge this educational gap. Its focus on SoC concepts will help improve student resourcefulness in constrained settings and equip them with the knowledge, skills, and flexibility to respond to challenges and advocate for necessary care for their patients. While the SDI implementation phase is ongoing, it aims to achieve multiple outcomes: improved student confidence and competence in performing common dental procedures; reduced backlog of untreated dental disease in partner shelters; and strengthened university-community partnerships that promote sustainable models for accessible veterinary care. Potential limitations include logistical challenges in equipment transport, and variability in shelter case availability. Additionally, it may be challenging to demonstrate statistically significant improvements in student competence and/or confidence due to the inherent complexity of dental procedures, varied clinical caseload, and limitations to student enrollment in the program. Lessons learned will inform revisions to scheduling, equipment handling protocols, and student preparation.

Conclusion

The SDI offers a novel approach to simultaneously enhancing veterinary student education and improving access to dental care for underserved animal populations. By embedding SoC concepts in a portable, shelter-based model, the program addresses critical skill gaps identified in veterinary education and provides a replicable structure for broader curricular integration. As a model, SDI may also serve as a foundation for developing context-sensitive clinical guidelines in dentistry that prioritize patient welfare across diverse resource settings. The long-term vision includes adaptation by other institutions, establishment of shared equipment hubs, and broader conversations around equitable, evidence-based dental care for companion animals.