college connection
VETERINARY DENTISTRY
COLLEGE RELEASES PRACTICE
STANDARD IN DENTISTRY
The Professional Practice Standard Veterinary Dentistry provides increased clarity
on the delivery of preventative oral care and
dental treatment to animals.
Veterinary dentistry includes every aspect of
oral health care such as cleaning, adjustment,
filing, extraction or repair of teeth and
treatment of or surgery to related structures.
One of the key areas of veterinary dentistry is
assessment and diagnosis, and dental x-rays
are often a part of that process. Although
veterinarians are not required to have dental
x-ray equipment, the standard indicates it
may be necessary to recommend the client
obtain x-rays prior to treatment in certain
circumstances.
College Council consulted the profession
and the public extensively in preparing this
standard and also reviewed recent complaints
and discipline decisions related to veterinary
dental services.
The new standard supports the competent
and safe performance of dentistry, which is
beneficial to the public and the veterinary
profession.
The Judgment removes ambiguity
surrounding the types of dental services for
animals which can be provided by someone
other than a licensed veterinarian or
experienced delegate. It clearly states that
anything outside of brushing, flossing and
Many of you will know Dr. Sabatini from
the College’s medical records and
communications workshops. Dr. Sabatini
is also a clinician at the Ontario Veterinary
College in the Department of Population
Health. Dr. Sabatini is involved in the College’s
peer review of medical records program.
Dr. Susan Sabatini
Practice Advisor
COURT ORDERS PUP STAR TO CEASE
UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE
The College initiated contempt proceedings
against Jill Thompson and her business
Pup Star due to the continued provision of
animal dentistry in spite of the March 2014
order to stop practising veterinary medicine.
The College and Ms. Thompson reached
an agreement that was incorporated into a
Judgment awarding the College $5,000.
Dr. Susan Sabatini has joined the College as a
part-time practice advisor.
The practice advice service offered by the
College is free and confidential. If you have
a question associated with the regulations,
policy and expectations associated with
the practice of veterinary medicine, please
contact Dr. Sabatini through the College.
The standard also identifies expectations
surrounding delegating certain procedures
to auxiliary staff; sedation and anesthesia; as
well as dental charting.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has
added clarity to an existing Order that a
non-veterinarian stop practising veterinary
medicine.
MEET THE
COLLEGE’S
PRACTICE ADVISOR
1-800-424-2856
519-824-5600 x2401
[email protected]
breath spray is considered animal dentistry
and is an aspect of veterinary medicine.
Consistent with the policy on veterinary
dentistry, the College has long taken the
position that veterinary dentistry includes
cleaning animals’ teeth (other than simple
brushing) and that only veterinarians
may practise veterinary dentistry. Expert
evidence supports the College’s position
that permitting non-veterinarians to provide
veterinary dentistry, including dental
hygiene, creates serious risks to animals.
The College acts in the public interest
and has been granted the authority, by
statute, to obtain Orders preventing nonveterinarians from practising veterinary
medicine.
Spring 2015 / 3