Periodontal Diseases are one of the most common health problems in small animal patients, affecting up to 90% of your patient population today! Typically, treatment comes very late in the course of the disease leading to numerous local and systemic complications. With its lack of clear outward clinical signs, its existence remains undiscovered by clients leading to those delays in treatment. Another contributing factor to the delay is the client's perception that oral health is linked to their pet's ability to eat. No doubt you've heard the comment 'Well he's still eating!" Combine this with our own misunderstandings around dental disease and we have created the perfect storm for treatment to begin once the disease has taken hold.
In this lecture, we'll define 'dental diseases' and the role that inflammation plays and discuss 'Dental Grading' versus 'Dental Staging'. We'll discover what the experience for the human patient with Periodontal Disease is and how we can relate this to our patients and bridge the gap between the client's perspective and their pet's condition to help drive better engagement in the performance of home care. Attendees will learn the value of early intervention to help manage the patient with periodontal disease and shine a light on strategies to prevent a life of suffering in silence.