Greetings List Members� I reviewed the website presented by this organization, that has developed this �service� after the founding member received �some training� from �professional hygienists and technicians�. This founding individual was presented as a pet �hygienist� yet does not display any credentials on the website, that would permit her to perform this procedure in an independent or alternative practice under California�s state law or to claim that title. Licensed individuals will show their credentials after their name and display their license in viewing distance in a clinical practice and available in their wallet when in an alternate situation. This is to protect the public; if I were to use their services I would confirm the qualifications of this organization to perfomr these services, with the state licensing board, in California that credentialing agency would be the �Veterinary Medical Board�. California does have requirements for licensure of �registered veterinary technicians� (RVT would be the credential after their name), you can refer to this following website to confirm this. http://www.spjc.edu/hec/vettech/vtde/credentialing.htm On the job trained individuals without credentials must be directly supervised by a DVM/DMV in these listed states, California. Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. The specific licensing board will be able to direct to what is legal duties for licensed and unlicensed individuals in those states. These states may not allowed even as a licensed individual to perform functions in an independent practice or alternative practice as described in the website. Interesting that these states do not have laws and/or regulations governing registration of veterinary technicians: Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont and Wyoming. Other states not listed, are rather open regarding their regulations that they have on the �books�. Registered Dental Hygienists are required in California to have a bachelor degree in dental hygiene science and other credentials of accredited studies to have an independent or alternative practice. They would show the following credentials of RDH, EFDH after their name In both of these cases, I did not read that this individual offering these services has the minimum entry-level education and credentialing qualifications to perform this procedure in a safe manner. As stressed before, it is up to each person seeking care to verify those credentials with the state licensing board, when seeking services from an individual presented as a �caregiver�. As far as pre-medication as prevention for bacterial endocarditis�I feel that CKCSs should have an appropriate loading dose antibiotic coverage before any at risk procedures. For further information you can review the American Heart Association overview on this. You need a licensed healthcare professional to make this evaluation for this specific need before having any dental procedures performed. http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/96/1/358 As far as an aseptic technique�there are several sterilization methods that are available. One is an "EPA registered liquid sterilant" solution (this is very different than an "EPA surface disinfectant"). The instruments must be pre-cleaned and submerged for a minimum of 10 hours. Once removed from the solution, it must be rinse due to this agent being very toxic. Heat sterilization is the preferred method�one reason is that it can be spore tested for its effectiveness and another is the instruments will remain sterile after removal from the unit due to the pre-wrapping. It is preferred to un-wrapped the instruments in front of the client to assure confident in the infection control procedure. You can review appropriate heat sterilization methods on this website: http://www.osap.org/issues/pages/position/pp-ip.htm As far, as polishing this is an elective procedure�it is the procedure of proper definitive instrumentation that smoothes the teeth. Polishing is to remove stain�and is mainly for esthetics. You can read the position paper regarding this on the ADHA website: http://www.adha.org/profissues/polishingpaper.htm Lastly, it is preferred that a power scaler, such as a sonic or ultrasonic is used for the lavage (irrigation), antimicrobial action and thorough periodontal debridement. Remember that the calculus (tartar) is not the agent that causes the periodontal disease it is the bacterial plaque, mainly below the tissues. Careful and well orchestrated sub-gingival (below the tissue) instrumentation known as root planing or root debridement requires specific length of training, great skill and patient�in fact it is view as one of the most difficult technique to master in dentistry. Removing calculus above the tissue does not require that mastery. In some states, the RDH, DDS and DMD can delegate a dental assistant (after they had an appropriate short course) to remove those superficial deposits and polish the teeth�leaving time for the definitive treatment (sub-gingival debridement) and assessment to be performed by the licensed professional. So to sum this up�be careful out there. Your decisions can have strong ramifications on the health of your love ones. Do not be embarrassed to ask specific questions and to be an informed consumer of healthcare services.
Food for thought... Regards, Kathy Yonkers Stuarthome CKCS USA for further information on periodontal diseases, please view: http://www.cavaliersonline.com/k9perio.html -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
