Page 310 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

294 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

will cause elongation and too high it will cause The steps involved in developing dental films are as
foreshortening. follows:
Six to ten intraoral films are needed for a full mouth
study in dogs and cats, depending on patient size. 1. Ensure that the developer and fixer are fresh
2. Slowly open the film packet, remove the film, and
Because of this, the patient will need to be in various attach the film clip
positions to accomplish these films: right and left lateral, 3. Place in developer – 30 seconds
sternal, and dorsal recumbency. Remember when 4. Wash in water – 30 seconds
moving an anesthetized patient to keep the body level 5. Place in fixer – 10–15 seconds
and take care not to dislodge the endotracheal tube. A 6. Review the film in 10 seconds
mouth speculum is placed in the patient’s mouth to 7. If the positioning and exposure are correct, place
keep it open during the radiography procedures. It is back in fixer for 10 minutes or until the procedure
often placed on the canine teeth or is moved around to is completed followed with a thorough rinse for
facilitate various views of the dental arcade. There are 30–60 minutes.
some dedicated dental positioning devices that can be
used intraorally. Dental automatic processors work similarly to regular
Film identification is accomplished during or after film processors (see Chapter 16). Follow the manufac-
the film is exposed and developed. If a separate num- turer’s directions for use and frequency of cleaning.
bered radiograph log is kept to record dental radio-
graphs, the same number can be placed on a sticky
radiopaque label, which is then attached to a corner of Patient Care and Clean‐up
the film. A special mount on which patient information
and date are written can be purchased to hold the film. The assistant can help out immensely after the dental
These are available from dental product suppliers. An radiograph. First, take care of the anesthetized patient
indelible marker can be used on the dry film. recovering from anesthesia, extubate as soon as swallow-
A technique chart just for the dental unit is used to set ing reflex returns, check body temperature and apply
exposures. The chart is set up based on the size of the warming devices if necessary. Observe until sternal then
animal and for each tooth to be radiographed. return the patient to its housing. Then clean and put
away the PPE, endotracheal tube, positioning aids, and
gas anesthesia machine. Clean the radiography table
Learning Exercise and re‐cover and store processing chemicals if using the
manual technique. Check and complete entries in the
If you have access to skulls and dental film or dental radiography log, patient’s record, and treatment
sensors, practice positioning the skull and film board. Finally, file all the dental radiographs according
with the dental unit. to the clinic’s procedure.

Client Education
Manual Developing of Dental
Radiographs Companion animals have become an important part of
our lives. Many people consider the pet a part of their
Dental films are very easy to develop. Dental film consists family. All members of the veterinary team must be
of four layers. The outer layer consists of white plastic excited and motivated about dental care and project that
which protects the film from moisture. The second layer enthusiasm to the client. As veterinary health profes-
is the lead layer which is silver colored. The third layer is sionals it is our job not only to promote dentistry, but to
the paper layer which is the black layer. All of these layers educate our clients about the importance of proper oral
surround the film layer, which is gray. health. It is necessary to communicate the importance of
Dental films can be developed in a chairside dark- dental treatment and oral care in many ways. It should
room. The chairside darkroom contains four cups for become as routine as vaccinations and heartworm test-
rapid film developer, water, rapid fixer, and water, respec- ing in your clinic. This education process starts with cli-
tively. The cover for the darkroom is a dark red tinted ents at the first puppy or kitten visit. Talk with them
plastic box that allows the developer to see what they are about the importance of oral care by expressing the fact
doing without light exposing the film. There are arm- that the mouth is a mirror to the body. Give handouts
holes in the chairside darkroom that allows personnel to explaining the relationship between oral disease and
insert their hands into the side of the unit without allow- systemic health. Use pictures to give the client an impres-
ing light inside. Special clips should be used to hold the sion of what can happen if oral home care is not given to
film while developing to protect it from fingerprints. their pet.