A Pet Owner’s Guide to Finding a Pet Dentist in Vancouver, WA

Teeth are crucial to the overall health of your pet. Take care of them from a young age. They need the right foods, chews, treats, cleaning, and regular exams. Good oral hygiene keeps their mouths free from plaque, tartar, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss. Considering these, you must put in the same effort in looking for a pet dentist in Vancouver, Washington, as you would for yourself. What does this entail?

Get Referrals

Personal referrals will help you start the journey of finding a pet dentist. Family and friends are good sources of these referrals. You can also ask your vet for these. You may not know, but your vet may also offer dental services. However, check their credentials before settling on them. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Check Their Qualifications

Pet dentists need to have a specific skill set. They should complete a four-year doctorate in veterinary medicine and surgery. Before the doctorate, they must complete four years of undergraduate studies. It does not end there. They also need to complete a formal training program in pet dentistry. 
 

Finally, they must accomplish all the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) training requirements and pass their final examination. You can find websites on the internet to help you confirm whether a specific dentist has all the qualifications. Do your due diligence.

Check Online Referrals

Your friends and family may give you some suggestions for pet dentists. However, it is always prudent to check what other people say. Check online for some reviews and an in-depth look at their quality of service. 
 

You will know you are on the correct track with five-star reviews. Check mentions of whether the pet dentist and their staff are caring and gentle. Also, check if they are knowledgeable of the latest technological advances.

Schedule a Consultation

The next step is to clarify what you hear and read about the pet dentist. To do that, schedule a consultation with the pet dentist. Check out the premises and the staff before meeting the pet dentist. 
 

You can go for the first visit alone and bring your pet on a subsequent visit. Ask questions during the visit. It will help you get more information and gauge whether you are comfortable with the facilities and staff.

Customer Service

A good pet dentist will make you and your pet comfortable. Pets can be as nervous as you are when visiting your dentist. However, they will become calm in a friendly environment with good customer care. They also get cues from humans. So if you are at ease and enjoy the customer service, they will also be at ease.

Communication Skills

The dentist needs to communicate what they see during your pet’s exams. They will need to tell you what to do and any aftercare. For those, they need good communication skills. They must be able to answer any questions you may have. Even if they do not have answers, they should get back to you as soon as they can. Such dentists show transparency and earn your trust.

 

For more information on finding a pet dentist in Vancouver, Washington, visit Dogwood Veterinary Dental at our office in Vancouver, Washington. Call (360) 859-3790 to book an appointment today.