Working Dog Dentistry

Working dogs serve different functions based on their trained purpose. Due to the nature of their work, they are prone to traumatic dentoalveolar injuries (TDIs). TDIs include tooth wear, fracture, discoloration, and displacement. Undiagnosed or untreated TDIs result in pain, which could lead to poor performance. Veterinarians should educate handlers on potential injuries and perform a thorough oral examination and appropriate diagnostics to identify any oral abnormalities and initiate treatment. The primary goal of treatment is to return dogs to normal function so that they can continue to perform their assigned duty at maximum performance.