world-class service
Quality service in referral veterinary dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery
Fitzpatrick Referrals is delighted to introduce our new veterinary referral dentistry service for companion animals, opening in early January 2025 and led by Dental Registrar Hannah van Velzen, BSc MSc CSAVP (Dentistry) MRCVS. Hannah brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge, having completed her three-year EVDC residency programme in dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery as part of the largest dentistry team in Europe.
Dental disease is one of the most common problems facing dogs and cats today and it is therefore essential that families have access to excellent oral treatment for their animals.
Our comprehensive veterinary dentistry service provides treatment for all small animal dental and oral conditions, including maxillofacial trauma, as well as an advice service for referring vets. We are also happy to see more routine dentistry cases in patients with complex anaesthesia needs.
During your initial consultation, our dentistry team will discuss the most appropriate diagnostic investigations and treatment options for the successful clinical management of each individual case. You can be assured of a friendly and ethical approach, taking both your own and your animal’s individual needs into account.
EXPLORE
Conditions
At Fitzpatrick Referrals, our veterinary dentistry service provides investigation and management for all types of dental and oral problems. These include, but are not limited to:
- Periodontal treatment
- Complex extractions
- Dental abscesses
- Tooth resorption
- Deciduous teeth extractions
- Orthodontics and malocclusion management
- Enamel dysplasia and developmental abnormalities
- Dentinal sealing and composite restorations
- Caries treatment
- Fractured and discoloured teeth
- Tooth luxation and avulsion injuries
- Gingivectomy/gingivoplasty
- Odontogenic cyst enucleation/marsupialisation
- Feline chronic gingivostomatitis
- Canine chronic ulcerative stomatitis
- Oral eosinophilic granuloma
- Lip fold resection
- Temporomandibular joint pathologies
- Orofacial pain investigations and management
- Facial trauma, including facial/jaw fractures and degloving injuries
- Exotic dentistry (please contact us to discuss cases prior to referral)
Refer a patient today
Veterinary professionals – register to refer patients quickly and efficiently, and view your referral history.
OUR TEAM
Dentistry team
Our veterinary dentistry team is led by Hannah van Velzen who completed her EVDC residency programme in dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery under the largest dentistry team in Europe. She is supported by a dedicated dental RVN and veterinary care assistant.
dentistry
Team in action
DENTISTRY
FAQs
Here are some of the common dentistry questions we receive at Fitzpatrick Referrals – if your question is not answered here, please contact us with your query and we will be happy to help!
Are clean teeth always healthy teeth?
Dental health is about so much more than white teeth. It’s actually all about the gums! The gums (gingiva) protect the real stars of the show: the supporting structures of the tooth beneath the gumline. When the gums are inflamed we call this gingivitis, which if left untreated can result in damage to the supporting tooth structures. Around 80% of dogs and cats over the age of 3 years already have some degree of damage to these structures, known as periodontal disease.
Perhaps surprisingly it’s not the visible plaque and tartar that causes gingivitis, but that where you can’t see it – under the edge of the gum. Simply cleaning the visible part of the teeth without addressing the area below the gums therefore won’t keep teeth healthy.
A detailed assessment under general anaesthetic, including dental radiography, is the only way to figure out if periodontal disease is present and tailor treatment to your individual patient.
Is dental x-ray imaging necessary?
As so much of the tooth structure is hidden below the gumline, dental x-rays are absolutely essential to not miss any problems. In fact, by using dental x-rays we can find hidden disease in >40% of cats and >25% of dogs that have otherwise entirely normal looking mouths.
To ensure we are doing the best for your cat or dog, even regular dental cleanings should therefore always include dental imaging. Even when dental disease does progress to something we can see with the naked eye, dental x-ray images will find information that completely change our treatment plan in >30% of cats and >20% of dogs.
This is why every procedure performed by our veterinary dentistry team always includes a detailed oral examination and a set of full mouth dental radiographs. By accurately identifying all the issues present, we can pick up problems early while they are still treatable without needing extractions. This allows us to keep more teeth where they belong and keep your animal friend from needing more frequent dental procedures in the future.
We were reassured and happier knowing that she was in the best possible hands for her treatment and recovery.
CASE STUDIES
Patient stories
Our stories give insight into some of our patients and their journeys while receiving treatment at Fitzpatrick Referrals.
CAREERS
Join the team
We know it is our team that makes what we do possible.
We are always looking to strengthen our team with skilled, dedicated, passionate professionals.
