Studies and Research
In 2009, Pet Dental Services (PDS) a California- and Florida-based company, was approached by a Board-Certified veterinary dentist, with the idea of undergoing the first-of-its-kind, double-blind pilot study analyzing the effectiveness of what was being called by PDS a true Professional Outpatient Preventive Dental, or (POPD), and their trademarked 11-step procedures.
View the full study on the IVC Journal website
The study was undertaken by this board certified dentist in an attempt to further analyze non-anesthetic dentistry and to evaluate if it is even possible to perform a thorough and safe prophylaxis on a pet without general anesthesia. PDS agreed to take on such an endeavor with one goal in mind – to dismiss the myths that surround the practice of non-anesthetic dentistry, to prove that when done correctly it can be a very valuable service. It was a randomized, double-blind pilot study, where Pet Dental Services hygienists completed a non-anesthetic prophylaxis on 12 cats and 12 dogs of three different age groups. Half of the pets had a history of having had an anesthetic dental and the other half had not.
After a full exam, a non-anesthetic dental cleaning was completed by Pet Dental Services, and then the pets were put under anesthesia and examined by the board certified dentist and his team. After all examinations were completed, both Pet Dental Services and the veterinary dentists sent their respective charts for each pet to Dr. Hardigan, the Director of Statistical Analysis at Nova Southeastern University, to be compared. The criteria that was analyzed included probing depths (both normal and abnormal), residual plaque and calculus, recession, mobility, tooth irregularities (slab fractures, Resorptive Lesions, etc), and oral soft tissue pathology. The results showed that Pet Dental Services was able to complete all twenty four pets with no residual plaque or calculus found above or below the gumline, it also showed that PDS is capable of recognizing pathology (abnormal probing depths etc.), and there were no post treatment complications with the pets.
To view the study in its entirety please click on the following link below.
Professional Outpatient Preventive Dentistry (POPD): Can It Be Done Safely and Effectively Without the Use of General Anesthesia?
Mayra Urbieta, DMD; Stephanie Sur, DVM; Patrick Hardigan, PhD; Darren Pike, DMD; Chad Orlich, DMD;
Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology, in private practice in Orange County, CA and The Director of Research for Pet Dental Services Inc, 1012 Brioso Dr, Ste 105, Costa Mesa, CA 92627.
(Urbieta); In private practice at The Whole Pet Hospital and Wellness Center, 325 Los Gatos Saratoga Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95030 (Sur); Executive Director of Health Professions Division Research and Chair of the Statistical Consulting Center at Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33328 (Hardigan); Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, in private practice; 575 NE 5th AV, Boca Raton, FL 33432 (Pike); Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, in private practice in Austin, Texas (Orlich).
View the full study on the IVC Journal website
