The Vet Dental Show

Latest Episodes:

Episode 157 - Oral Disease Management Prior to Radiation Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

🔗 Advance Your Veterinary Dentistry Skills! Apply to the Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program for specialized training today! https://ivdi.org/inv

Explore Dr. Beckman's courses and resources to deepen your expertise in veterinary dentistry. https://veterinarydentistry.net/

Get more out of this episode by watching the presentation as well on YouTube: https://ivdi.org/thevetdentalshowYT

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Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM

In this episode of The Vet Dental Show, Dr. Brett Beckman, a board-certified veterinary dentist, shares expert insights on managing dental complications in patients undergoing radiation therapy. Through real-world case examples, Dr. Beckman covers oral masses, osteonecrosis, and how to manage oro-nasal fistulas (ONF) after radiation.

What You'll Learn in This Episode: - The impact of radiation therapy on dental health - The importance of pre-radiation dental extractions - Strategies for managing oro-nasal fistulas (ONF) post-radiation - Surgical techniques for mass excision and flap closure - When to refer complex cases to a veterinary dental specialist

Key Takeaways: - Understand radiation-induced osteonecrosis (ORN) and its impact on healing - Learn how to manage oral mucosa and bone exposure after radiation - Explore the importance of post-operative healing before radiation referral

Links & Resources for Veterinary Professionals: Apply to the Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program - https://ivdi.org/inv Explore Dr. Beckman's courses and resources - https://veterinarydentistry.net/

📩 Have questions or comments? Let us know below, and don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more valuable veterinary dentistry content!

Episode 156 - Enhancing Patient Care: From Extractions to Anesthetic Protocols Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Beckman's International Veterinary Dentistry Institute offers courses in all areas of vet dentistry. Online & Live Courses for Vets and Techs https://veterinarydentistry.net/ To request an invitation to the VDP Program: https://ivdi.org/ Get more out of this episode by watching the presentation as well on YouTube: https://ivdi.org/thevetdentalshowYT In this episode of The Vet Dental Show, Dr. Brett Beckman, a board-certified veterinary dentist, and Annie Mills, LVT, Dental Technician Specialist (VTS), share tips on preventing hypothermia in patients, managing anesthesia during full mouth extractions, and the role of veterinary technicians in dental charting. This episode also discusses post-op care, the importance of nerve blocks, and using sedation for anxious pets. Podcast Details Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM

Episode 155 - New Info on Epulis and POF Treatment and Naming Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Beckman's International Veterinary Dentistry Institute offers courses in all areas of vet dentistry.

Online & Live Courses for Vets and Techs https://veterinarydentistry.net/

To register for the January 12th Training: https://ivdi.org/vdp

In this episode of The Vet Dental Show, Dr. Brett Beckman, a board-certified veterinary dentist, discusses the evolving nomenclature and approaches to gingival masses in veterinary dentistry, providing practical insights for general practice veterinarians and technicians.

Podcast Details Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM

Get more out of this episode by watching the presentation as well on YouTube: https://ivdi.org/thevetdentalshowYT

Episode 154 - Recognizing and Treating CUPS in Dogs Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Beckman's International Veterinary Dentistry Institute offers courses in all areas of vet dentistry.

Online & Live Courses for Vets and Techs https://veterinarydentistry.net/

To register for the January 12th Training: https://ivdi.org/vdp

In this episode of The Vet Dental Show, Dr. Brett Beckman, a board-certified veterinary dentist, dives into recognizing and treating Canine Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis (CCUS)—a painful and often overlooked condition in dogs. Learn how to spot subtle signs of oral discomfort, such as behavioral changes and resistance to oral exams, and understand the critical steps for diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Beckman also discusses pain management strategies and when to consider referrals for complex cases.

Podcast Details Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM

Episode 153 Holiday Episode - New Year Action Steps Dec 25, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Beckman's International Veterinary Dentistry Institute offers courses in all areas of vet dentistry.

Online & Live Courses for Vets and Techs https://veterinarydentistry.net/

To request an invitation to the VDP Program: https://ivdi.org/

In this episode of The Vet Dental Show, Dr. Brett Beckman, a board-certified veterinary dentist, shares invaluable tips on preventing periodontal disease in your patients. Learn actionable steps to incorporate closed root planing and subgingival curettage into your practice, and how these techniques can stop disease progression and reduce extractions in small-breed dogs.

Podcast Details Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM

Ep 152 - How Can Vets and Techs Improve Pain Management in Cats? Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of The Vet Dental Show, Dr. Brett Beckman, a board-certified veterinary dentist, shares valuable insights into pain management, anesthesia protocols, and best practices in veterinary dentistry. The episode discusses the cautious use of lidocaine in cats, the role of bupivacaine for effective local blocks, and the potential applications of Renia for managing chronic pain in refractory stomatitis cases. Packed with actionable advice, this episode is a must-listen for veterinarians and technicians looking to elevate patient care in their practice.

Podcast Details

Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM

Key Highlights Topic 1: Lidocaine Use in Cats

Question: Should lidocaine be used with caution in cats?

Answer: Yes, lidocaine can potentially cause seizures in cats, especially when used as a continuous rate infusion (CRI).
Recommendation: Replace lidocaine with bupivacaine for local nerve blocks to ensure longer-lasting analgesia (6-10 hours). Use lidocaine sparingly and with proper discretion.

Topic 2: Lidocaine for Intubation

Discussion:

Historically, lidocaine was applied to the larynx for intubation in cats.
Dr. Beckman and his team now prefer using a blunt cannula for safer intubation without the risks associated with lidocaine.

Topic 3: Pain Management for Chronic Cases

Case Example: Use of Renia (NK1 antagonist) in refractory stomatitis

Mechanism: Blocks Substance P at the postsynaptic membrane to prevent ascending pain signals.
Clinical Context: Effective for managing chronic pain when combined with ketamine (NMDA receptor antagonist).
Outcome: While Dr. Beckman's team hasn't used it extensively, anecdotal feedback from the veterinary community is positive.

Topic 4: Local Blocks with Bupivacaine

Best Practice: Use 0.5% bupivacaine for local nerve blocks in cats and small animals.

Dosage: 0.2 mL per foramen ensures safety and efficacy.
Rationale: Provides prolonged analgesia compared to lidocaine, minimizing the risk of complications.

Actionable Takeaways

Transition to bupivacaine for local nerve blocks to enhance patient comfort and safety.
Consider using Renia for managing chronic pain in severe stomatitis cases.
Adopt safer intubation techniques, such as using blunt cannulas, to mitigate risks in feline patients.
Leverage evidence-based pain management protocols to improve patient outcomes.

Sponsor Mention: This episode is brought to you by the Veterinary Dental Practitioners Program. Learn more and request an invitation at ivdi.org/inv.

Closing Note: "I hope you enjoyed this episode filled with actionable items to elevate your dentistry practice. Implement these tips today and see the long-term benefits for your patients and practice!"

If you're ready to take your dentistry skills to the next level, visit ivdi.org/inv to join the Veterinary Dental Practitioners Program!

Ep 151 - Is your veterinary dental practice built on quality care or just cleaning teeth? Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

In the second part of this insightful series, Dr. Brett Beckman, a board-certified veterinary dentist, continues his conversation with Annie Mills, LVT, VTS (Dentistry). They discuss actionable steps for building or improving a dental service in general veterinary practices, even when resources and equipment are still in development. The focus remains on education, team building, and fostering a quality-over-quantity approach for exceptional patient care.

Guest Information:

Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM
Guest: Annie Mills, LVT, VTS (Dentistry)

Veterinary Technician Specialist with extensive expertise in dental care.
Educator offering live, virtual, and on-demand courses tailored for veterinarians and technicians.

Main Talking Points: 1. Building a Dental Practice Without Full Resources:

Education First: Encourage staff to attend seminars (live, virtual, and online) to build a strong foundation of knowledge.
Form a Dedicated Dental Team:

Identify passionate team members (ideally 2-3 technicians and 2 veterinarians).
Invest in continuing education for this small, focused team.

Prepare for Equipment Integration:

Train on key skills like dental x-rays, pathology recognition, and nerve blocks in advance.

2. Recruiting and Retaining Skilled Staff:

Utilize the VTS Network:

Leverage the growing community of Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS) in Dentistry.
Access resources through the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians (ABDT.us) to find qualified candidates.

Promote Specialized Credentials:

Highlight VTS expertise in marketing to demonstrate advanced care.

3. Learning from Experience:

Key Lesson: Dental x-rays are indispensable for comprehensive care. Early pathology detection prevents unnecessary suffering and improves outcomes.
Cautionary Tale: Practices operating without dental x-rays often miss critical issues, resulting in poor patient quality of life.

4. Overcoming Challenges in Dentistry Services:

Quality Over Quantity: Start with no more than 2-3 patients per day to ensure thorough assessment and treatment.
Patient Scheduling Tips:

Avoid scheduling multiple periodontal cases in one day.
Gradually scale up as team efficiency improves.

Practice-wide Buy-In:

Have conversations with managers and owners to ensure proper time allocation and support for dentistry cases.

5. Encouragement for General Practices:

Take the pressure off by focusing on providing quality care.
Recognize that building a successful dentistry service is a gradual process that requires dedication and teamwork.

Key Quotes:

"Dentistry is one of those services that just can't be rushed." – Annie Mills
"It's about quality, not quantity. Three patients a day is a great starting point." – Annie Mills
"Without dental x-rays, we're leaving patients to suffer in silence." – Annie Mills

Episode Timeline:

00:00-04:00: Preparing for dentistry services with limited resources.
04:00-08:00: Identifying and training the dental team.
08:00-12:00: Recruiting VTS-trained technicians and their impact.
12:00-18:00: Lessons learned and the value of dental x-rays.
18:00-22:00: Addressing challenges and adopting a quality-first mindset.
22:00-28:00: Encouragement and actionable advice for general practices.

Key Takeaways:

Education: Prioritize staff training before investing in equipment.
Team Focus: Build a small, passionate dental team for maximum efficiency.
X-Ray Integration: Use dental x-rays to detect early pathology and improve care.
Gradual Scaling: Start with a manageable caseload and grow as skills improve.
Practice Support: Secure management and owner buy-in for proper time allocation.

Learn More:

Explore the Veterinary Dental Practitioners Program: https://ivdi.org/inv

Keywords: Veterinary dentistry education, Building a dental team, Veterinary x-ray importance, VTS dental technicians, Quality dental care tips.

Ep 150- How can technicians and veterinarians collaborate effectively to transform your dental practice and deliver exceptional patient care? Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

Ep 150- How can technicians and veterinarians collaborate effectively to transform your dental practice and deliver exceptional patient care?

Quick Summary of the Episode:

In this first part of a two-part series, Dr. Brett Beckman, board-certified veterinary dentist, interviews Annie Mills, LVT, VTS (Dentistry), his long-time veterinary dental technician. They dive into the importance of team structure in veterinary dentistry, the technician's role in streamlining dental procedures, and strategies to improve client communication and patient outcomes.

Guest, Cast, and Crew Information:

Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM
Guest: Annie Mills, LVT, VTS (Dentistry)
Veterinary dental technician with over 13 years of experience working with Dr. Beckman.
Industry-leading instructor for technicians and veterinarians in general practice.

Main Talking Points:

Team Approach to Veterinary Dentistry:
The importance of having defined roles for technicians, anesthetists, and oral surgeons.
Building a team structure that supports efficient and high-quality dental care.
Technicians' Impact on Dental Procedures:
Essential tasks technicians can perform, including dental x-rays, pathology recognition, chart preparation, and client communication.
How technicians can reduce anesthesia time and improve overall patient outcomes.
Client Communication and Education:
The technician's role in educating clients about the importance of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment beyond cleaning.
Handling anesthetic concerns and explaining advanced protocols to ease client anxiety.
Retention and Client Trust:
The importance of consistent communication with clients throughout the patient's dental care journey.
Creating trust through multiple touchpoints to encourage follow-up visits, especially for periodontal cases.

Interesting Quotes From the Episode:

"Dentistry is a team sport – no one person should shoulder the entire case." – Annie Mills
"The cleaning is incidental; diagnosis and treatment are what truly matter." – Dr. Brett Beckman
"A confident, knowledgeable technician can transform a nervous client into a committed partner in their pet's care." – Annie Mills

Timestamps for Major Segments:

00:00-02:00 – Introduction to the episode and guest, Annie Mills
02:00-06:30 – Importance of a team mindset in veterinary dentistry
06:30-12:00 – Technician roles: x-rays, charting, nerve blocks, and pathology recognition
12:00-17:00 – Client education: Addressing misconceptions and anesthetic concerns
17:00-22:00 – Creating trust and compliance through consistent communication
22:00-24:00 – Closing thoughts and preview of part two

Learn more about the Veterinary Dental Practitioners Program at https://ivdi.org/inv and request an invitation.
Stay tuned for part two of this series next Wednesday for more actionable tips on elevating your dentistry practice.

(Veterinary dentistry team structure, Technician roles in veterinary dentistry, Veterinary client communication tips, Periodontal disease management in pets, Veterinary dental x-ray best practices)

Key Takeaways:

Team Structure: The ideal team includes a skilled oral surgeon, an anesthetist, and a dental technician with clearly defined roles.
Technician Expertise: Proficiency in dental x-rays, charting, and pathology recognition speeds up procedures and improves outcomes.
Client Education: Emphasise diagnosis and treatment, not just cleaning, to educate clients on the importance of comprehensive dental care.
Trust and Retention: Regular communication and a consistent contact person can improve client trust and ensure follow-up visits for ongoing care.

Affiliate & Sponsor Links:

Veterinary Dental Practitioners Program: https://ivdi.org/inv

Stay tuned for next week's Part 2, where Dr. Beckman and Annie Mills continue discussing advanced techniques and best practices for veterinary dentistry teams!

Ep 149 - Wondering how to handle canine extractions without risking jaw fractures? Nov 06, 2024

Show notes

Ep 149 - Wondering how to handle canine extractions without risking jaw fractures?

Quick Summary of the Episode:

In this episode of The Vet Dental Show, board-certified veterinary dentist Brett Beckman tackles challenging questions about canine extractions, jaw fracture risks, and the importance of correct tools and techniques. Topics include the reattachment of gingiva after canine extraction, preventing iatrogenic fractures, and the best burrs for precision in veterinary dental procedures.

Guest, Cast, and Crew Information:

Host: Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM (Board Certified Veterinary Dentist)
Featured Pathologist: Dr. Cindy Bell, Oral Pathology Specialist

Main Talking Points:

Gingiva reattachment and the importance of cone collars post-extraction.
Preventing jaw fractures during canine extractions, particularly with small breeds.
Using the Dental Explorer for periodontal pocket measurement.
Managing lucencies around canine roots and deciding when to perform root canal therapy.
The importance of having the correct burr sizes and types for safe dental work.

Interesting Quotes From the Episode:

"Gingiva reattaches within days unless disrupted by tension or trauma at the extraction site."
"With proper training and technique, the risk of a jaw fracture during extraction is minimal, even in challenging cases."
"The correct burr can make all the difference in a complex canine extraction—it's a must-have for precision."

Timestamps for Major Segments:

00:00-01:00 – Introduction and sponsor mention (Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program)
01:00-03:30 – Answering Aaron's question on gingiva reattachment post-extraction
03:30-07:30 – Discussion on jaw fracture risks in canine extractions with Kristen's question
07:30-10:00 – Using the Dental Explorer and the importance of anesthesia in dental exams
10:00-13:30 – Understanding lucencies, root fractures, and periodontal involvement
13:30-16:30 – Essential burrs and tools for canine extractions and restoration
16:30-18:00 – Wrapping up with a call to action and course details

Learn more about the Veterinary Dental Practitioners Program at https://ivdi.org/inv

and request an invitation.

Canine extraction techniques, Preventing jaw fractures in small dogs, Veterinary Dental Practitioners Program, Dental tools for veterinary dentists, Managing root fractures in canine teeth

Key Takeaways:

Gingiva reattachment happens quickly but requires cone collars to prevent dehiscence.
Using the right tools and techniques can minimize the risk of jaw fractures during canine extractions.
Radiographic interpretation and familiarity with lucencies are essential for knowing when to extract or save a tooth.
Veterinary dental equipment selection, especially burr types and sizes, is crucial for efficient and safe procedures.

Affiliate & Sponsor Links:

Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program: https://ivdi.org/inv

Ep 148 - Is every case of feline oral inflammation stomatitis? Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

Let's clear up the confusion and prevent unnecessary biopsies!

Quick Summary of the Episode: In this episode, Brett Beckman, a board-certified veterinary dentist, dives deep into differentiating oral inflammation and stomatitis in cats, with a focus on histopathology and common misconceptions. Dr. Beckman also answers questions on oral masses, providing guidance on when to refer cases to a board-certified veterinary dentist.

Guest, Cast, and Crew Information:

Host: Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM (Board Certified Veterinary Dentist)
Special Mention: Dr. Cindy Bell (Pathologist for Oral Histopathology)

Main Talking Points:

The role of histopathology in diagnosing oral conditions in cats.
The difference between feline stomatitis and gingivitis.
When to biopsy a case of feline oral inflammation.
The importance of referring to a board-certified veterinary dentist for oral masses.

Interesting Quotes From the Episode:

"Not all oral inflammation is feline gingivostomatitis. The key is caudal oral mucosal inflammation."
"The only reason I would biopsy is if there's a unilateral mass—99% of the time, it's likely squamous cell carcinoma."
"Always refer to a board-certified dentist; they've undergone practical exams for perfect execution."

Timestamps for Major Segments:

00:00-01:00 – Introduction and sponsor mention (Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program).
01:00-03:00 – Dr. Cindy Bell's expertise in oral histopathology.
03:00-08:00 – Differentiating feline stomatitis and the need for biopsies.
08:00-11:00 – Discussing oral masses and the importance of a veterinary dentist.
11:00-13:00 – Practical advice on when to refer for oral masses.

(Veterinary dentistry, Oral inflammation in cats, Feline stomatitis vs gingivitis, Veterinary oral pathology, Board-certified veterinary dentist, Oral histopathology, Squamous cell carcinoma in cats)

Key Takeaways:

Feline gingivostomatitis involves caudal oral mucosal inflammation, whereas other oral inflammations could simply be severe gingivitis.
Only biopsy when necessary, especially if there is a unilateral mass indicating something more serious like squamous cell carcinoma.
Always refer oral mass cases to a board-certified veterinary dentist for the best outcomes.

Affiliate & Sponsor Links:

Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program: IVDI.org/INV

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