My daughter Caroline and I have had the opportunity to provide anesthesia free teeth cleaning (AFTC) in Austin for over 14 years (see Testimonials). I was fortunate to learn this practice many years ago under the supervision of practicing veterinarians (see About Us). As a result of recent veterinary rule changes, we must provide such services under your direct or indirect auspices after you have developed a client-patient-relationship. We believe that this change has potential to be very beneficial, particularly for our Texas senior dog population and other at risk dogs when anesthesia may be problematic and when clinically appropriate. It is also relevant that this service is currently being adopted by a number of veterinary clinics (see References).
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We envision in the longer term the opportunity to provide such services through a few veterinarians in Austin eventually sharing such techniques to foster better dental care. In our dealings with clients of veterinarians, we have learned that as a dog advances in age, veterinarians and their clients are reticent to continue teeth cleaning under anesthesia. As you are keenly aware, in order to protect such aging dog's health it is important that teeth cleaning continue throughout the dogs natural life. This is ideally accomplished prior to Stage 3 periodontal disease before significant damage to teeth is realized. We have many clients looking forward to bringing their dogs into your practice so that they may continue to receive such services. Our experience has demonstrated that clients are willing to conduct such cleanings considerably more frequently than when anesthesia is used. In this regard, it is not unusual for us to clean many dogs (particularly smaller dogs) several times a year. The addition of such a service, potentially extending care for years, will result in more frequent visits to your office plus the opportunity to treat other age related chronic disease, and other routine services. All of these factors will have a positive health impact for potentially all dogs and yours and ours business’ opportunities. We believe your practice will be looked upon by your clientele as being gentler, in-tune, responsive and modern.
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It should also be noted, because of the difficulty in developing the expertise necessary to accomplish non-anesthesia teeth cleaning with a high level of success, it is likely that significant opportunity will exist for many years to come with minimal competition. In this regard, we will limit our commitment and use of our proprietary training method to a few veterinary clinics in local areas such as Austin so as not to saturate the market. We respectfully request the opportunity to demonstrate how this procedure will benefit your practice. Please understand such a demonstration in no way obligates you to further teeth cleanings under your auspices.
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What percentage of dogs can you train to allow for this procedure?
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Our experience shows that we can perform prophy without anesthesia or other drugs in approximately 90% of dogs. An additional 5% will also adapt to this procedure with the use of tranquilizer or other appropriate drug to allay anxiety for the first few procedures and can then be weaned off once they realize discomfort is minimal. We believe the dog’s adaptation to the procedure is similar to the human experience. It has taken many years of practice to be at this level of success. ​
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How do you accomplish this training?
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Our training of the dogs with our proprietary method needs to be conducted such that the dogs are not distracted by anyone so that we have their attention and can gain their trust. We use standard training methods including positive reinforcement, minimal verbal negative reinforcement and desensitization techniques and training.
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How effective is AFTC as compared to the cleaning of teeth with anesthesia and at what frequency do you recommend?
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It is our opinion that prophy without anesthesia is approximately 90% as effective as compared to prophy under anesthesia. To be specific, the 90% level can be accomplished in about 75% of dogs initially. The remainder can be raised to the 90% efficacy level in 2 - 3 cleanings done within 2 - 3 months apart. Our experience over the years has demonstrated that prophy done on dogs at Stage I and 2, at this frequency and to this level of efficacy, is sufficient to prevent periodontal disease.
The frequency needed to prevent periodontal damage varies considerably and can only be determined on a case by case basis. As you are aware, this frequency variation is predicated on the other variables i.e. teeth brushing, diet, and physiological makeup of the particular dog. We are aware it is common with anesthesia to wait until considerable tartar exists before cleaning. Since there is less risk with AFTC method we recommend more frequent cleaning more in-line with the twice a year recommendation for humans. Although the exact frequency will vary in general, two and with particularly smaller dogs three or more times a year is ideal.
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What equipment and procedures do you use to clean teeth?​
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All procedures are done with standard dental equipment and all tools used are sanitized.
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What are your plans for professional development?
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As you can see from our past endeavors (see About Us) we are committed to developing ourselves professionally and personally. In our grooming business Caroline and I have become certified groomers and it is estimated that less than 5% of groomers hold such a national certification. Holding such certification has allowed us to hold high standards in our grooming practice by providing services such as sanitizing tools and other practices necessary for a high quality service, please see FAQ on our grooming site. It is our commitment to attend national seminars and gain additional certification as veterinary dental assistants. We are also very interested in the possible use of ultrasonic scalers and look forward to seminars and conferences to study these instruments as they have been used by others doing AFTC on some dogs. We are open to continued learning and look forward to your advisement in this regard.
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Why do business with Canine Smiles?
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We are a family owner service that has provided AFTC to satisfied grooming customers in Austin and the local area for over 14 years. Our grooming clients have told us frequently that their veterinarian has examined their dogs teeth and has stated they are in good condition. I have developed this methodology under years of veterinary auspices as an assistant. As a result, I understand the nuances of providing a quality professional veterinary service. It has taken my daughter Caroline and I continued years of practice to perfect this proprietary training method that can be accomplished in a short period of time, thus making it more profitable for all. We do believe that cleaning teeth more in-line with the frequency that is recommended for humans can be accomplished in the veterinary setting. Our grooming experience has demonstrated that clients appreciate more regular cleaning and the resulting prevention of periodontal disease. We can provide a turn-key service and add our existing client base to your practice. In addition, if appropriate for your practice we have a mobile unit that can be used at your location, or at a client's location as some clients appreciate this amenity.
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In conclusion:
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Please understand we believe oral care for dogs under anesthesia is essential when significant dental disease processes are present. However, once such processes are arrested, adding our approach to your practice will result in you being able to provide a service that will increase your practice volume and profit, and improve the dental and overall health of dogs. We look forward to meeting you to discuss and conduct demonstrations. Please feel free to contact me at 512-680-4952 or by email at jimiekimo@gmail.com