Dentistry & Oral Surgery for Technicians and Technician Students
Advancing Dental Skills: A Comprehensive 2-Day Veterinary Dentistry CE Course with Hands-On Practice for Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Technician Students
May 23 - 24, 2026
This 2-day CE course empowers veterinary technicians with the knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in veterinary dentistry. With lectures, interactive workshops, and hands-on labs, participants will better understand dental anatomy, radiography, cleaning techniques, and client education. Emphasis will be placed on practical application in real-world clinical settings. Completion awards 14 hours CVME Credit approved by NCVMB and accepted in 41 states
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will:
1.Understand the fundamentals of veterinary dental anatomy and pathology.
2.Master dental cleaning and polishing techniques.
3.Acquire proficiency in obtaining intraoral radiographs.
4.Enhance communication skills for client education on dental health.
5.Learn proper instrument handling, maintenance, and sharpening.
Course Requirements
Open to veterinary technicians and veterinary technician students. Participants should wear scrubs. Personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, eyewear) will be provided at the course place.
Course Agenda
Day 1: Foundations of Veterinary Dentistry
Morning Session: Lectures & Workshops
• Welcome and Course Overview
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Oral Cavity in Dogs and Cats 8:00 – 8:55 AM
– Focus on normal structures and landmarks.
• Common Dental Pathologies 9:00 – 9:55 AM
– Periodontal disease, fractured teeth, and oral tumors.
• Instrumentation Basics 10:10 – 11:00 AM
– Types, uses, and care of dental instruments.
• Ergonomics in Veterinary Dentistry 11:10 AM – 12:00 PM
• Lunch 12:00 – 1:30
Afternoon Session: Hands-On Lab 1
• Instrument Familiarization and Handling 1:30 – 2:30 PM
– Participants will practice instrument identification and proper handling
– Instrument Sharpening and Maintenance.
• Charting, Scaling and Polishing Techniques 2:30 – 4:00 PM
– Guided practice on models and cadaver specimens.
End of Day 1: Group Q&A and review 4:00 – 4:30 PM.
Day 2: Advanced Techniques and Real-World Application
Morning Session: Lectures & Workshops
• Introduction to Dental Radiography 8:00 – 9:55 AM
– Principles of intraoral radiography and equipment overview.
• Interpreting Radiographs: Normal vs. Pathologic Findings 9:00 – 9:55 AM
– Case-based learning with interactive discussion. • Oral Pathology – What Technicians Should Recognize During Dental Procedures 10:00-10:55 AM
• Client Communication in Veterinary Dentistry 11:00 – 11:55AM
– How to discuss dental care plans and emphasize preventive care. • Lunch 12:00 – 1:30
Afternoon Session: Hands-On Lab 2
• Radiographic Technique Practice 1:30 – 3:30 PM
– Positioning and capturing images using dental models and cadaver specimens.
• Periodontal Charting and Assessment and simulated professional dental cleaning 3:30 – 5:00
– Recording findings on dental charts.
– Perform professional dental cleaning, scaling, and polishing.
End of Day 2: Certification of completion, feedback, and group photo (15 min).
Registration
Registration for the 2 day course is: $650
includes:
- Breakfast & lunch
- 14 hours CE credit
- Electronic notes