Description
SAVC and AVNAT Approved Course
This flexi CPD course is aimed at vet nurses and vet technicians in general practice and is available on-demand with unlimited lifetime access. Each module consists of a tutorial, quiz and further reading articles
Module 1
Aetiology and Pathogenesis
- Anatomy of the head
- Tooth and periodontal anatomy, and oral soft tissues
- Oral nomenclature
- Tooth types, nomenclature and formulae
- Eruption times
- Occlusion
Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:
- Identify tooth and periodontal structures
- Explain the Modified Triadan System of numbering teeth in the dog and cat
- Recognise normal occlusion
Module 2
Periodontology
- Aetiology and pathogenesis of dental disease
- Gingivitis
- Periodontitis
- Gingivostomatitis
- Periodontal therapy
- Scaling and polishing
- Pocket control and therapy
- Medications, homecare (brief), dental clinics (brief)
Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:
- Describe how gingivitis develops and its progression to periodontal disease
- Explain what gingivostomatitis is
- Outline the process of safe ultrasonic tooth scaling and its purpose
Module 3
Oral Pathology and Treatment
- Trauma and treatment options
- Tooth fracture / discolouration / (sub) luxation
- Dental diseases and treatment options
- Tooth resorption / caries / periodontal disease
- Malocclusion and treatment options
- Traumatic / dental / skeletal malocclusions
- Other conditions and treatment options
- Enamel defects / dentigerous cysts / persistent deciduous / root dilacerations and abnormal morphology / tumours
Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:
- Identify common pathologies associated with the teeth and oral cavity
- Describe some potential treatment options for common pathologies
Module 4
Oral Examination and Charting
- History taking and clinical examination – conscious oral examination
- Pre-operative tests
- Assessment under general anaesthesia – including anaesthesia induction, intubation, oral preparation, probing
- Charting – what to fill in, disease scoring and making your chart work
- Imaging and other investigations
- Radiography – parallel and bisecting angle techniques
- Biopsy
Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:
- Confidently undertake a thorough conscious examination of a patient’s teeth
and oral cavity - Set up for and assist with assessment of the teeth and oral cavity in an anaesthetised patient
- Accurately complete a dental chart which documents all pathology discovered upon examination
Module 5
Instrumentation and Dental Surgery
- Instruments – use, care and maintenance
- Dental machine and other powered equipment – use, care and maintenance
- Ancillary equipment – use, care and maintenance
- Preparation for and veterinary nursing assistance with surgery
- Pre-, intra- and post-operatively, including analgesia
- The role of intraoperative radiography
Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:
- Differentiate between different instruments used for dental and oral procedures, and state what they are used for
- Describe the proper use, care and maintenance of a range of dental instruments and equipment
- Explain the benefits of oral radiography in veterinary patients and outline the basic, fundamental principles of the parallel and bisecting angle techniques
Module 6
Dental Clinics, Products and Homecare
- What is an effective dental clinic
- Types of patients attending dental clinics
- Resources for dental clinic consultations
- Products and interventions available to help with maintaining oral health
- Oral homecare regimes
- Effective dissemination of theoretical and practical oral hygiene advice
- Client concordance and follow-up
Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:
- Debate what makes a dental clinic effective
- Explain the range of resources required to run an effective dental clinic, and the purpose of these resources
- Describe how a range of products and interventions used to maintain optimal oral health work
- Outline how to achieve and maintain client compliance with recommended oral homecare regimes
The course will be available immediately following purchase, with unlimited lifetime access and will provide a total of:
12 hours of CPD (UK)
12 points (Australia and New Zealand)
12 points (South Africa – SAVC Accreditation Number AC/2602/25)
Release date: Aug 2025






Emma O –
It gave me a better understanding of what patients need for good oral hygiene and how to educate owners as to what they need to do at home
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice <5 years - UK)