Dental is one of the highest-value services in veterinary medicine — and one of the most under-utilised. This checklist ensures your program delivers clinical excellence and commercial success.
The 10-step checklist
- Equipment audit — scaler, polisher, dental X-ray
- Team training and certification — annual CE for all dental staff
- Standardised grading system — 1–4 grade, consistent across the team
- Pre-anaesthetic protocols — bloods, physical exam, risk stratification
- Pricing structure review — benchmark against local competitors annually
- Client education materials — before/after photos, X-ray explanations
- Pre- and post-op photos — routine for every dental
- Written discharge instructions — species-specific, printed and digital
- Two-week follow-up call — catches issues early, strengthens relationship
- Annual recall reminders — automated, personalised to each pet
Why it works
Each step reinforces the next. Skip any and the program leaks value.
> A well-run dental program can represent 20–30% of a practice's revenue — and it has some of the highest clinical impact for the patient.
Implementation timeline
Don't try to do all ten at once. Work through them over one quarter:
- Month 1: Equipment audit + team training
- Month 2: Client education + photo protocols
- Month 3: Follow-up systems + recall automation
By the end of the quarter, you'll have a measurably different program.
