North Central Animal Hospital, PC

Dear Mrs. [redacted],             ...

  Thank you for making us aware of your concerns.  Dental disease is present in more than 80% of dogs over the age of three years.   Few dogs show obvious signs of dental disease, and as a result, periodontal disease may cause significant problems in the oral cavity and may be associated with damage to internal organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.  End stage periodontal disease results in loose teeth that are unable to be saved and require extraction.  In many cases, teeth may be diseased and cause health problems but may appear normal at first glance.                The fact you are aware of their need for dental care is commendable.  As you were also advised by your previous veterinary hospital, an examination and discussion of history prior to scheduling an anesthetic procedure is necessary to assess pet health and discuss the treatment plan.  All dental surgeries are scheduled for morning drop-off for adequate time and thorough treatment.  Please visit our website at [redacted] for more detailed information on dental care.  After the procedure, the pet is monitored through the afternoon to ensure they are comfortable and happy when they return home later that day.  Your late afternoon appointment would simply not have allowed us the time to provide adequate dental and medical care for your dogs.  For a pet with known periodontal disease (loose teeth), full mouth oral radiographs would of course be recommended to ensure the disease in the entire mouth has been fully addressed.  A tooth may outwardly appear fine or have a small pocket when probed, but radiographs can reveal abscessed root tissue in a soup of liquefied bone.  This can contribute to chronic pain and health problems.                The doctors at North Central Animal Hospital have advanced training in dental procedures, and we are able to provide a higher level of dental care in comparison to many other animal hospitals.  Our specialized equipment includes ultrasonic scaling with precision tips designed specifically for veterinary patients, high resolution dental radiographs, high speed water cooled dental drill & a multitude of different dental bur tips for sectioning teeth and smoothing bone edges, low speed polisher, air/water syringe, specialty dental tools (such as periosteal elevators, dental probes, & luxators),  and all instruments are sterilized for each individual patient.  We are able to provide dentinal sealants, crown restorations, vital pulpotomies, oral surgery for tumors, gingival sliding flaps, surgical closure of oronasal fistulas, and other advanced dental care.  We also emphasize the need for local blocks for pain, oral antibiotics and pain management, and surgical closure of extraction sites.  Because we are not board certified dental specialists, we can provide this advanced level of care for less cost than the specialty centers.                Here at North Central Animal Hospital, we understand that medical and dental care costs can really add up, especially when owning more than one pet.  For this reason, we provide twice yearly dental specials with free dental screenings and routine preventive dental cleanings for only $199.  Every February and September for the past few years, we have provided this service to our community to stress the importance of dental care and improve the lives and health of those pets.                   We are happy to hear that your pets received dental care and hope you continue to focus on this aspect of their health care.  A grace period for outstanding balances was allowed during the holiday season.  Your March statement was sent to advise you of your outstanding balance for the thorough physical examination and consultation with one of our licensed veterinarians.  I apologize for the apparent delay in your visit.  Because of the unusual and unexpected delay in providing service, I am waiving the examination fees and will consider your visit a free dental screening for both dogs.  We appreciate your interest in the health care of your pets, and we are sorry our services did not meet your expectations during your visit in December.

Dear Mrs. [redacted],             ...

  Thank you for making us aware of your concerns.  Dental disease is present in more than 80% of dogs over the age of three years.   Few dogs show obvious signs of dental disease, and as a result, periodontal disease may cause significant problems in the oral cavity and may be associated with damage to internal organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.  End stage periodontal disease results in loose teeth that are unable to be saved and require extraction.  In many cases, teeth may be diseased and cause health problems but may appear normal at first glance.                The fact you are aware of their need for dental care is commendable.  As you were also advised by your previous veterinary hospital, an examination and discussion of history prior to scheduling an anesthetic procedure is necessary to assess pet health and discuss the treatment plan.  All dental surgeries are scheduled for morning drop-off for adequate time and thorough treatment.  Please visit our website at [redacted] for more detailed information on dental care.  After the procedure, the pet is monitored through the afternoon to ensure they are comfortable and happy when they return home later that day.  Your late afternoon appointment would simply not have allowed us the time to provide adequate dental and medical care for your dogs.  For a pet with known periodontal disease (loose teeth), full mouth oral radiographs would of course be recommended to ensure the disease in the entire mouth has been fully addressed.  A tooth may outwardly appear fine or have a small pocket when probed, but radiographs can reveal abscessed root tissue in a soup of liquefied bone.  This can contribute to chronic pain and health problems.                The doctors at North Central Animal Hospital have advanced training in dental procedures, and we are able to provide a higher level of dental care in comparison to many other animal hospitals.  Our specialized equipment includes ultrasonic scaling with precision tips designed specifically for veterinary patients, high resolution dental radiographs, high speed water cooled dental drill & a multitude of different dental bur tips for sectioning teeth and smoothing bone edges, low speed polisher, air/water syringe, specialty dental tools (such as periosteal elevators, dental probes, & luxators),  and all instruments are sterilized for each individual patient.  We are able to provide dentinal sealants, crown restorations, vital pulpotomies, oral surgery for tumors, gingival sliding flaps, surgical closure of oronasal fistulas, and other advanced dental care.  We also emphasize the need for local blocks for pain, oral antibiotics and pain management, and surgical closure of extraction sites.  Because we are not board certified dental specialists, we can provide this advanced level of care for less cost than the specialty centers.                Here at North Central Animal Hospital, we understand that medical and dental care costs can really add up, especially when owning more than one pet.  For this reason, we provide twice yearly dental specials with free dental screenings and routine preventive dental cleanings for only $199.  Every February and September for the past few years, we have provided this service to our community to stress the importance of dental care and improve the lives and health of those pets.                   We are happy to hear that your pets received dental care and hope you continue to focus on this aspect of their health care.  A grace period for outstanding balances was allowed during the holiday season.  Your March statement was sent to advise you of your outstanding balance for the thorough physical examination and consultation with one of our licensed veterinarians.  I apologize for the apparent delay in your visit.  Because of the unusual and unexpected delay in providing service, I am waiving the examination fees and will consider your visit a free dental screening for both dogs.  We appreciate your interest in the health care of your pets, and we are sorry our services did not meet your expectations during your visit in December.