Pediatric Veterinary Dentistry – They Are Not Just “Baby Teeth”

Pediatric patients present a critical opportunity to identify and address oral and dental abnormalities before they lead to lifelong complications. This session reviews the anatomy and development of deciduous and permanent dentition in puppies and kittens, with emphasis on the transitional period between dentitions. Participants will learn to recognize normal eruption patterns and occlusion, identify common abnormalities such as persistent deciduous teeth and malocclusions, and apply early intervention strategies to improve long-term oral health outcomes.

• 1. Understand the normal development and tooth eruption schedules for both deciduous and adult dentition in dogs and cats.
• 2. Develop a fundamental understanding of the angle classification system for classifying occlusions in veterinary patients.
• 3. Recognize dental malocclusions and methods to advocate for the patient's comfortable and pain-free jaw closure.
• 4. Understand the difference between atraumatic and traumatic occlusions and their implications for the patient.