Читать книгу The Veterinary Dental Patient: A Multidisciplinary Approach - Группа авторов - Страница 67

Even the best veterinarian may not practice their dental skills if the owner does not give permission. The client needs to understand the pathology and the reason for therapy. The technician plays a vital role in providing this education.

The treatment plan should be itemized and must be as accurate as possible. The technician should go through it with the client, explaining the reason for and value of each item. For example, preanesthetic blood work can sometimes locate systemic problems that have a bearing on the anesthesia protocol, as well as determining the patient's anesthetic risk. Dental radiographs are necessary to determine whether there is pathology that is not visible to the naked eye.

Explaining the treatment plan line by line helps the client understand the need for and importance of the treatment. Clients can see and understand pathology more easily in pictures, models, and videos than directly in the oral cavity of their pet. The treatment plan should also address the patient's anesthetic risk level and explain the precautions necessary for a positive outcome.

It is good practice to provide a treatment plan or estimate to the client prior to every procedure. This prevents distress over unexpected expenses and helps the client understand that the procedure is important to their pet's health. Providing an estimate in advance can also help the client make arrangements for payments.

An exact treatment plan cannot be determined on a conscious patient, but a close estimation can be created from the oral exam. The veterinary technician/nurse should explain that the treatment plan is only an estimate and that a more accurate one can be prepared once the animal is under anesthesia and a complete oral exam and dental radiographs have been performed.

Figure 4.9 Client estimate, prepared based on a filled‐in dental chart.

Creating an estimate that is higher than anticipated can have a twofold benefit. First, it provides for an allowance if the periodontal disease turns out to be more advanced than is thought from the initial exam. Second, the client may be pleasantly surprised to receive a lower bill than expected. If the client would like a more precise estimate prior to the procedure, a “worst‐case scenario” can be prepared, but this should be properly explained to them.

The veterinary technician/nurse should develop an understanding of the client's commitment and ability to perform home care, which will help develop the treatment plan (Bellows 1999). The veterinarian may thus plan to refer the patient to a dental specialist for periodontal surgery in order to save their teeth, or else to extract the teeth in the patient's best interest.