​

I am interested in contacting my veterinarian regarding AFTC. What shall I do prior to contacting her/him?

 

First, please read any frequently asked questions you may find informative, as it is important for you to be informed on the various issues so you are more likely to be accepted as a candidate by your veterinarian. 

 

Please keep in mind that if your veterinarian believes that your pet has dental issues that need to be addressed under anesthesia that should be accomplished. In the future AFTC can be performed. If however, your veterinarian finds no issues that need to be addressed under anesthesia and simply does not wish to sign the form please see the FAQ below “I have contacted my veterinarian and he/she shows no interest in AFTC what shall I do?”

 

How did you learn this procedure?

 

Please see the "About Us" section.

 

How do you clean my pet’s teeth?

 

A proprietary training method using various behavior modification techniques including desensitization, positive reinforcement, at times mild (verbal) negative reinforcement applied with discretion, and other training techniques are used. We train your pet to be relaxed and to realize, similar to your experience during teeth cleaning, that no pain will be experienced and they can feel safe and comfortable. We treat our patients much like a dentist treats a young child during a first-time dental visit. We rely on our “dog whispering” skills to establish a trusting relationship with each pet. Even feisty pets with challenging personalities can usually be trained to allow us to clean their teeth. While we can train more than 95% of pets for this procedure, there are some that will not cooperate. Our method is a method developed over many years and also has a spiritual component that helps us and your pet to relax and increases the likelihood  of a successful experience for all.  Therefore our method is unique and so we are in the process of applying for a patent. In the unlikely event that a pet experiences too much anxiety or stress, you will be advised that teeth cleaning without anesthesia is not appropriate for your pet or your veterinarian may wish to prescribe a sedative that you can administer prior to AFTC.

​

How often should I clean my pet's teeth?

 

Consider this; we humans generally brush our teeth twice a day and we are advised to have a teeth cleaning twice a year. The frequency of dental cleaning for a pet depends on diet, age, health, breed and brushing frequency. We are aware with anesthesia it is common to wait until considerable tartar exists before cleaning. Since there is less risk with non-anesthesia teeth cleaning method we recommend more frequent cleaning more in-line with the human experience. We also have a pricing structure that will foster more frequent cleaning. When you see a tan or brown color on the teeth then it is time to have them teeth cleaned. Leaving large amounts of bacteria in your pet’s mouth may lead to other health issues as well as an unpleasant odor.

 

Can teeth be cleaned as well with non-anesthesia as anesthesia?

 

Effectiveness will vary somewhat depending on the particular pet’s behavior, but in general non-anesthesia teeth cleaning is approximately 90% as effective although in some cases it may take a few dental cleaning sessions to reach this level. In our experience this level of efficacy is very satisfactory in preventing gingivitis and periodontal disease.  

 

Will you teach me how to brush my pet’s teeth?

 

We will be glad to help you learn to brush your pet’s teeth. If you have tried to brush your pet’s teeth and are having difficulty, we advise you not to attempt it as your pet can learn inappropriate avoidance behaviors that will make brushing your pet’s teeth or having them cleaned in the future more difficult.

 

May I watch the procedure?

 

This is not possible for several reasons. First, this is a training process; if you are present the pet will pay attention to you and we need the pet to pay attention to us. When you are not present your pet will begin to bond with us rather than looking to you for comfort . The relationship we are building is one of trust and relaxation.  

 

Are your tools sanitized?

 

Yes, we sanitize all our tools, and follow standard veterinarian protocol to conduct the procedure.

 

I have contacted my veterinarian and he/she shows no interest in AFTC what shall I do? 

 

Please be aware that there are reasons a veterinarian may not be interested in AFTC and a veterinarian as an owner of a business sets his/her direction for their practice. Of course some veterinarians may have, for whatever reasons, decided that there is no clinical value in our offering. What is important is that they base their opinion on scientific data and experience. A practicing veterinary scientist should be inquisitive and looking for potential new treatment models that may be advantageous. You may wish to ask the veterinarian if he/she is basing the decision on any current research and introduce your veterinarian to the studies in our References. We would be interested in knowing about their research and even participating in a study. Your communication to us regarding your veterinarians thoughts is welcome so we can inform other interested clients. In addition, we may be able to lead you to veterinarians that have approved AFTC for other pets.

 

How does periodontal disease in pet's occur?

 

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that affects the soft and hard structures that support teeth. In the early stage of gingivitis, the gingiva becomes swollen and red due to inflammation, which is the body’s natural response to the presence of pathogenic bacteria. In more advanced forms of periodontal disease, namely periodontitis, one will see recession and destruction of the supporting alveolar bone. Although inflammation as a result of a bacterial infection is behind all forms of periodontal disease, a variety of factors can influence the severity of the disease. Important risk factors include inherited or genetic susceptibility, lack of adequate home care, age, diet, health history, and medications (Krasse and Brill, 1960, Page and Schroeder, 1982, Genco et al., 1998, Gorrel, 1998, Harvey, 1998, Lund et al., 1999; Roudebush et al., 2005, and Logan, 2006). Periodontal disease is the most prevalent oral disease seen in small animals, specifically dogs and cats, (Page and Schroeder,1981, Hamp et al. 1984, Reichart et al, 1984, DeMeijer et al, 1991, Hoffmann and Gaengler, 1996, and Harvey, 1998, and Lund, 1999). It can be a very painful and often debilitating disease to the affected animal, and unfortunately most pet owners will not know that their pet is suffering until the animal is showing obvious signs of discomfort from more advanced forms of periodontitis. Periodontal disease has also been associated to multiple systemic conditions, so preventing and treating periodontal disease is of paramount importance to the overall health of the affected animal (Mealey, 1999, Glickman et al, 2009, and Glickman et al, 2011). See (Professional Outpatient Preventive Dentistry (POPD): Can It Be Done Safely and Effectively Without the Use of General Anesthesia?)