NAD - Non-Anaesthesia Dentistry

NAD (non-anaesthesia dentistry) is considered not appropriate because of patient stress, injury, risk of aspiration, and lack of diagnostic capabilities. Because this procedure is intended to only clean the visible surface of the teeth, it provides the pet owner with a false sense of benefit to their pet’s oral health. Although this practice is offered by some groomers, it presents a major animal welfare concern.

A groomer shouldn’t clean your pets' teeth because they lack the specialised training and medical expertise required for a comprehensive dental cleaning and full mouth examination. The groomer conducting the dental cleaning cannot possibly evaluate the pathology (the study of disease, including its causes, progression, and impact on animals), nor conduct any meaningful subgingival treatment without proper anaesthesia.

The most important area to examine and clean effectively is the gingival sulcus or periodontal pocket. This is the area below the gum line surrounding the teeth. The delicate periodontal tissues attaching the tooth to the jaws are easily damaged. This can then result in pain and possible tooth loss. Tooth scaling requires the use of sharp instruments and/or ultrasonic or sonic scalers cooled by water jets. Small, uncontrolled movements of your pets’ head during effective tooth scaling could easily lead to periodontal damage.

Many owners falsely believe the need for dental treatment is based on the amount of visible tartar on the surface of the tooth, however, removing only what you can see on the surface without diagnosing or treating below the gums may delay effective treatment for painful disease.

In Summary:

Cleaning below the gum line is always uncomfortable. It is possible to perform scaling without anaesthesia in humans, as we willingly co-operate. Pets not under anaesthetic usually will not willingly remain stationary whilst the procedure is performed.

Non-anaesthesia dentistry does not allow full and effective cleaning of the most important subgingival areas and, in turn, may cause damage to the tissues surrounding the teeth.

Many oral problems can only be diagnosed during complete examination under general anaesthesia by a registered vet.

Parts of the mouth simply cannot be seen without anaesthesia.

Some early oral cancers can only be seen when the pet is under chemical restraint. Delaying diagnosis of these problems can mean that they become far more difficult to treat or may even become untreatable.

Many oral diseases can only be diagnosed by x-ray examination. This is only possible in an anaesthetised pet.

Use of intubation – where a tube carries the anaesthetic gases directly into the trachea (windpipe) protects the patient from inhalation of dental debris, or the bacteria-rich aerosol, created during the dental procedure.

If non-anaesthesia dentistry is performed under the guise of a “Dental Treatment” this could be considered misleading; unless the owners are made aware of the inadequate and potentially injurious nature of the procedure.

What you should do instead:

Brush regularly at home: Use a dog/cat-specific toothpaste to brush your pet’s teeth daily, reducing tartar buildup.

Visit your vet for dental care: Schedule regular veterinary dental checkups, where thorough cleanings can be performed under anaesthesia if necessary.

  VETERINARY DENTISTRY NON-ANAESTHESIA DENTISTRY
Costs Higher Lower
Risk of aspiration Low High
Risk of injury Low High
Stress Lower Higher
Diagnostic capabilities Very high Very low
Tooth crown scaling Complete Limited
Subgingival scaling Complete Not possible
Medical benefit Yes No
Cosmetic benefit Massive Limited
Performed by Trained veterinary surgeon Person without medical training
Welfare benefits & improvements to quality of life Yes No
Potentially dangerous to the patient No, very safe Yes
May delay effective therapy for painful disease No Yes
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