Dental ethics protocol

RE: Dental ethics protocol

Nicola Smith — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 20:25:27 GMT

That's really useful. I didn't even know they had issued a statement on that. Thankyou :)

RE: Dental ethics protocol

Karen Carver — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 16:11:42 GMT

Hi Nicky!

This is on the RCVS website regarding non GA dentals and where they stand with that. Hopefully will be helpful!

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/a-statement-on-anaesthesia-free-dental-procedures-for-cats-dogs/

Karen

RE: Dental ethics protocol

Nicola Smith — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 15:30:45 GMT

Brilliant thanks for that it's really helpful. I'm just trying to do my bit to ease the workload on our senior partner and offering to help with protocols is one of those things but obviously whatever I produce will just be the starting point which he can then add to or amend as needed. If you can pass on my thanks to those that have helped!!

RE: Dental ethics protocol

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 14:47:18 GMT

Well, from over on the other side, one of our dentists (someone who can be relied upon to give a frank opinion) had these thoughts. They aren't (obviously) written in a style that you could put straight into an ethics protocol, but hopefully provide some inspiration!:

I cannot see why a special protocol needs to be written for dentistry. It would be exactly the same as for any identifiable field of practice, or indeed for practice itself:

Have adequate knowledge, skill, equipment and materials to do it to the level you wish; and have adequate knowledge to recognise when you might offer, and when you should firmly recommend, referral. Keep your knowledge and skill reasonably up to date.
We don't do cosmetic procedures. (But one should endeavour to make the results of one's efforts as aesthetically acceptable as possible.)
Don't correct serious conditions that have a genetic basis unless you do whatever is possible to prevent that animal being bred from.
Always give serious consideration to pain and its alleviation.

Really, all this is just straightforward general professional ethics!

I can understand why something has to be written down (the PSS box-ticker demands a piece of paper). But I cannot understand why the task has been handed to a nurse. This sort of protocol, if it has to be laid down, should surely be laid down by the senior veterinary surgeon.

If you really want something specifically dental, I'd add to what I've already written above:

Don't rip off the public by charging loads of money for extracting the obviously hopeless teeth and doing a cosmetic scale and polish of the rest.
Don't rip off the public by recommending an "annual scale and polish".
Do devote a lot of time and effort to discussing and encouraging oral hygiene in every dental patient.
Don't charge strictly by time.
Don't refer to dentistry as a "revenue stream" or to your dental unit as a "profit centre"
Don't say that broken teeth with pulp exposure, or internally discolored teeth, will "bear watching".
Don't suggest that extraction is a sensible option for a broken canine or carnassial, unless all other options have been absolutely ruled out.
Antibiotic treatment has little application in dentistry and must not be used as a hopeful substitute for proper treatment.
If you don't like dentistry, don't do it.
If you aren't prepared to pay for correct equipment, don't do it.
If you do do it, do it properly.

RE: Dental ethics protocol

Nicola Smith — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 20:30:01 GMT

It's for the new practice standards extra awards in the dentistry section. I think it is about offering referral if indicated to try to preserve important teeth, and not doing things not in best interests of Animal eg cosmetic treatment. Maybe about xraying to ensure right treatment given? It's all new to me hence needing some help. Any help from the other side gratefully received :)

RE: Dental ethics protocol

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 20:08:51 GMT

Nicky,

One of our dental gurus over on VetSurgeon said he'd like to help, but he doesn't actually know exactly what you mean by a dental ethics protocol. Could you explain precisely what you mean; what the protocol is for? If you send me a PM, I'll wing it over to him.

RE: Dental ethics protocol

Eileen Collins — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 21:25:44 GMT

No bother and again, the very best of luck

RE: Dental ethics protocol

Nicola Smith — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 15:33:19 GMT

Wow Brill thanks for all that!! That will certainly be helpful :)

RE: Dental ethics protocol

Eileen Collins — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 14:08:21 GMT

Hi Nicki,

I don't have one I'm afraid but I have a few ideas that might help you write one.

This is from a Singaporean paper on Veterinarian Ethics from 2012, maybe if you edit what's on Page 11 first in respect to what Veterinarians can do dental wise and then skip back a page to page 10, say ethically it would not be appropriate to remove all dogs teeth due to excessive chewing or aggressive behaviour.

http://www.ava.gov.sg/docs/default-source/tools-and-resources/resources-for-businesses/codeofethicsforveterinariansfeb2012.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Then I found this article http://www.avdc.org/malandortho.html which states that it's not ethical to correct malocclusions in show dogs. It's an American article. As is the next one from 2013. http://www.aaha.org/blog/post/981150/Just-the-facts-AAHAs-new-dental-standard.aspx in which the AAHA recommend that dental procedures are carried out under intubation. Some of the responses are interesting in the comments.

This next article relates to American Equine Dentistry ethics but I suppose in terms of compliance with Veterinary Regulators in the U.K., it might be worth mentioning as well. http://www.aaep.org/custdocs/2014E&PGuidelines.pdf

And finally, http://www.nature.com/bdj/journal/v209/n5/full/sj.bdj.2010.769.html if you scroll down to the section, what are medical Ethics? You might be able to make an adaption of sorts to the introduction of your protocol. I've never read a dental ethics protocol before so I hope something here can help you to write yours. The very best of luck