Pet Dental Procedures
Good dental hygiene is one of the most important aspects of your pet’s overall health and can add years to their life.
Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT)
At Helping Hands, we take your pet’s oral health seriously. Dental disease is one of the most common medical issues in dogs and cats—and it often exists below the gumline where it can’t be seen with the naked eye. Our Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) program provides thorough, high-quality dental care with transparent pricing and a clear, two-visit approach.
A Staged Approach for Complete Care
Most pets require two visits to complete their dental treatment. This structured process ensures that your pet receives a complete evaluation and the safest, most effective treatment plan possible.
First Visit: Oral Assessment & Cleaning:
The first visit includes everything needed for a complete evaluation:
● Full dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar
● Comprehensive oral exam performed by one of our highly experienced veterinarians.
● Full-mouth dental radiographs.
● Documentation and medical records
● Detailed treatment plan outlining any needed extractions or further care
Full-mouth dental radiographs are performed on every pet during the first visit.
These X-rays are not optional as they are a critical part of diagnosing hidden dental disease and forming an appropriate treatment plan.
Will Extractions Be Done at the First Visit?
Only in rare cases. Very simple extractions (such as loose, single-rooted teeth) may be removed at the doctor’s discretion if they can be completed quickly and without surgery. Most extractions will be scheduled for the second visit.
Why Dental Radiographs Are Essential
Dental radiographs (X-rays) allow us to see below the gumline, where over 60% of a tooth’s structure is hidden. In dogs and cats, many painful conditions, such as root infections, tooth resorption, abscesses, bone loss, or fractured tooth roots, can only be detected through X-rays.
Without radiographs, we would be treating only what’s visible on the surface, leaving potentially serious and painful issues undiagnosed and untreated. Radiographs help ensure that your pet’s dental care is comprehensive, accurate, and safe.
Second Visit: Extractions & Oral Surgery:
If extractions or other surgical treatments are needed, they’ll be performed during a follow-up visit within 60 days of the initial assessment.
This visit includes:
● All required surgical extractions and treatments
● Post-extraction dental radiographs
● All take-home medications for recovery and pain management
What You Need to Know
● All pets receive full-mouth radiographs during their dental cleaning.
● You’ll receive a copy of your pet’s dental radiographs, medical records, and a written treatment plan after the first visit.
● Most pets will require two visits. The first visit is for cleaning and assessment; the second is for oral surgery/ extractions and follow-up treatment.
● You must be reachable by phone on the day of your pet’s procedure in case our team needs to contact you.
● Some dental conditions require care by a board certified dental specialist. In some cases, the work required may be out of the scope of what our doctors are able to take on and you may be referred to a board certified dental specialist (at your own cost).
Aftercare & Follow-Up Treatment:
Helping Hands is an outpatient facility only. We do not provide overnight hospitalization and will send your pet home with you the same day. We advise consulting with your veterinarian if overnight post-procedure monitoring at your expense should be arranged for your pet. While some pets successfully recover at home, others may need support from a primary or emergency veterinary hospital.
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