The Technician/Nurse: Improve Your Practice Dentistry

In this episode of the WSAVA Podcast, the focus turns to the vital role of veterinary nurses and technicians in strengthening dental care in everyday practice. Two conversations explore how the wider veterinary team can improve outcomes through better instrumentation, workflow, client communication, and home care support.

First, Maggie Burley speaks with Mary Berg about building a practical dental toolkit and using instruments safely and effectively. Mary highlights core tools for periodontal assessment and cleaning, including probing, subgingival instrumentation, and the importance of visibility. She also discusses sterilisation, sharpening, and instrument care, emphasising that consistent standards and good ergonomics support both patient safety and long-term team performance.

In the second conversation, Marcela Perez-de-Tudela is joined by Stephanie Johnson to discuss how technicians can help clients succeed with dental home care. Stephanie shares step-by-step strategies for introducing toothbrushing, keeping experiences positive, and recognising early warning signs that warrant veterinary assessment. She also discusses how to guide owners toward validated dental products and why regular oral exams, imaging, and tailored plans remain important even when home care is excellent.

Together, these conversations highlight how strong dental programmes are built by the whole team, combining practical skills in-clinic with effective support for owners at home.

Resources & Links

• WSAVA Global Dental Committee
• WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines
• WSAVA Educational Resources
• Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)

Contributors

• Mary L Berg, BS, LATG, RVT, VTS (Dent) – LinkedIn | Instagram | Website
• Maggie Burley, RVN, Dip VN (Dental), VTS (Dentistry), TAE - LinkedIn | Instagram
• Stephanie Johnson, CVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia), (Dentistry) – TikTok
• Marcela Perez-de-Tudela MV, MSc - LinkedIn | Instagram

Click here for the full transcript

This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.