Nurses Certificate in Dentistry

Dental disease is one of the most common conditions seen in small animal practice. Familiarity with oral anatomy is a vital step in understanding why this is the case. This module will help you identify skull types, mucosal and periodontal structures and normal/abnormal dentition.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Be familiar with the development of teeth (enamel, dentine, cement and root pulp)
• Be able to identify important anatomical structures (skull bones, musculature, innervations)
• Recognise different skull types
• Explain the structure and function of the periodontium and oral mucosa (palate tongue, soft palate, oropharynx, tonsils)
• Identify different tooth types and dental formulae

The ability to perform a thorough and complete dental examination is a vital part of any dental clinic. This module will allow you to complete a dental chart with confidence and acquire dental radiographs to fully assess the health of individual teeth. The benefits of other diagnostic tests within a dental work up will also be discussed.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Assess the oral cavity and dentition of a conscious patient
• Perform a full oral and dental examination under general anaesthetic
• Confidently complete a comprehensive dental examination chart
• Create complete patient records, recording findings and providing advice to clients and colleagues
• Acquire diagnostic dental radiographs
• Appreciate the need for other diagnostic tests such as blood samples, biopsy and CT

Includes a practical session.

There are naturally some important differences between the species when it comes to diseases of their teeth. This module will concentrate on the dog allowing you to confidently identify abnormalities and discuss options with the client. The importance of preventative dental healthcare plans will also be discussed.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Recognise the clinical signs of canine periodontal disease
• Identify conditions affecting the pulp (fractured teeth, abrasion, non-vital teeth, caries)
• Explain the causes and treatment options for canine tooth resorption
• Be able to assess malocclusion
• Review developmental conditions
• Acquire knowledge of oral masses
• Discuss the importance of preventative dental healthcare plans for dogs and their implementation in practice
• Appreciate the need for lifelong dental care and communicate the principles and importance of home oral care to dog owning clients and colleagues through nurse clinics to promote and monitor active and passive home care

Cats and dogs are not the only species brought into clinics with dental disease. This module will cover the options for preventative and treatment options for rabbits and rodents by taking into consideration the difference in anatomy and tooth development. The instruments and equipment required to safely perform dentistry in these species will also be covered.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Identify skull and dental anatomy of rabbits and rodents
• Explain tooth development in these species
• Understand specific health considerations in these species
• Discuss preventative and treatment options in these species with clients and colleagues
• Become familiar with the instruments and equipment required to perform dentistry

Includes a practical session.

This module will concentrate on the oral diseases seen in cats allowing you to identify and understand the different presentations that you will see in feline dental clinics. Preventative dental healthcare in cats also has its own challenges and this module will allow you to offer a variety of options to your clients.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Recognise the clinical signs of feline periodontal disease
• Identify conditions affecting the pulp (fractured teeth, abrasion, non-vital teeth, caries)
• Explain the causes and treatment options for feline tooth resorption
• Revise the causes and treatment of chronic gingivostomatitis in the cat
• Be able to assess malocclusion
• Appreciate developmental conditions
• Acquire knowledge of oral masses
• Appreciate the need for lifelong dental care and communicate the principles and importance of home oral care to cat owning clients and colleagues through nurse clinics to promote and monitor active and passive home care

Many patients arriving for a dental procedure will need careful peri-operative management to reduce morbidity and mortality so this module will give you an appreciation of how to approach each individual case. The importance of the ergonomics of tables, chairs and lighting for a dental procedure will also be covered and a practical session will help you be familiar with all the instrumentation required for a successful procedure.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Assess the patient for anaesthesia and manage the patient peri-operatively in relation to intubation, IVFT, repositioning, maintaining body heat and analgesia
• Select appropriate equipment and consumables to perform a dental procedure
• Handle dental instrumentation appropriately
• Maintain dental equipment
• Understand the ergonomics of tables, chairs and lighting for a dental procedure
• Formulate a business plan to bring high quality dental care to the clinic

Includes a practical session.