The truth about anesthesia-free dentals

Anesthesia Free Dentals, Gentle Dental Care, Holistic Dental Care...these seem to be all-the-rage in veterinary dental care these days. But are they really all they are cracked up to be? The truth, no.

People and businesses offering this service are excellent at marketing. When you google “non-anesthetic dentals” you’ll find a plethora of information and websites touting how wonderful and effective this procedure is. Pet owners, beware. Do a little more research before scheduling your appointment.

Here are some facts:

  • According to the law, veterinary medicine includes veterinary surgery, medicine and dentistry. Which means, anyone providing dental services for animals other than a licensed veterinarian, or a trained veterinary technician under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, is practicing veterinary medicine without a license and is subject to criminal charges.


Dental scaling without anesthesia does not allow sufficient access to all surfaces of the teeth for comprehensive cleaning and evaluation. What does that mean and why is it important?

Basically, it means this; because the patient is not anesthetized they will move. This motion inhibits the techncian (or whoever is preforming the procedure) from being able to thoroughly exam and clean all surfaces of the tooth, including below the gumline.

As you’ve learned from your dentist, tarter firmly adhere’s to the surface of the teeth, both above and below the gumline. The most important part of a dental cleaning is scaling the subgingival space between the gum and the root, where periodontal disease is active. This process is uncomfortable, and even painful, causing the patient to move and try to escape. This movement makes access to the subgingival area of each tooth impossible.

Removing tarter from visible surfaces of the tooth is purely cosmetic and has very little effect on the pet’s health. This procedure does more harm than good because it provides a false sense of security and accomplishment.

4 direct benefits of anesthesia

Routine anesthesia is very safe with a low rate of complication. Occasional problems can arise due to pre-existing conditions not evident during physical exam. You can prevent anesthetic complication with pre-anesthetic bloodwork.

Using anesthesia for a dental procedure is beneficial for four specific reasons:

  1. It eliminates the problem of the patient moving during the procedure.
  2. It manages the pain associated with proper examination and scaling.
  3. It protect the patient’s airway from accidental aspiration of tarter and bacteria.
  4. It allows for a complete and comprehensive oral exam (when the patient is not anesthetized, area’s of disease and discomfort are likely to be missed during exam).

Consumer complaints in California

The California Veterinary Medical Board has taken action on three consumer complaints surrounding anesthesia free dentals.

Source: Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery Specialists, LLC

  • A consumer complained that their pet was taken for non-anesthesia dental services for five consecutive years and the owner felt misled that the services were equivalent to those of a full service veterinary dental provider. Severe periodontal disease developed and progressed and was never diagnosed. Failure to diagnose periodontal disease resulted in loss of many teeth.

  • One complaint filed reported death of their pet during non-anesthesia dental services. The owner believed that anesthesia was of high risk and that anesthesia free dental services were risk free. Unfortunately anesthesia free dental services can be very frightening and stressful for pets and even result in injury or death.

  • One complaint reported that their pet suffered a broken jaw during anesthesia free dental services.

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