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Practice Management Tips
canine dental chart
Free PDF 2 pages, print-ready Clinician-reviewed
A canine dental chart is a structured record that shows the condition of each tooth in a dog's mouth, numbered by position so findings can be compared across visits. Veterinary teams use it to document periodontal probing, fractures, missing teeth and other findings in a form that stays consistent from one patient to the next. Most practices start with a paper or PDF chart and then transfer the findings into the patient record.
Clinics that chart inconsistently often find that a second clinician cannot tell what was examined, what was found and what was treated. A shared template fixes most of that. This guide covers the free printable chart, the modified Triadan numbering system behind it, and how to complete the record step by step.
Template details
- Template type
- Chart
- Format
- Printable PDF, 2 pages
- Best for
- Practice Management Tips
Free download
Canine Dental Chart
A ready-to-use canine dental chart covering modified Triadan numbering, tooth-by-tooth findings, periodontal probing, procedure record and signature block for the examining clinician.
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Key Takeaways
A canine dental chart records each tooth’s findings by Triadan number, so records stay comparable across visits.
Adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth; puppies have 28 deciduous teeth, charted with prefixes 5 to 8.
Normal gingival sulcus depth in dogs is under 3 mm, per AVDC-aligned guidance.
Pabau lets you link the completed chart to the patient’s clinical record, so dental findings stay with the visit notes.
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What is a canine dental chart?
A canine dental chart is a dental record template that maps every tooth in a dog’s mouth and lets the examining clinician log findings against each one. It captures the tooth number, the surfaces examined, any periodontal probing readings and any treatment performed.
The chart matters for two reasons. It gives the clinical team a shared, comparable view of oral health over time, and it creates a documented basis for treatment decisions. Records of this kind support professional standards on examination and record-keeping, and they make a case easier to evidence at review.
How to use a canine dental chart in practice
The chart works best as a fixed sequence rather than a free-form note. Clinicians follow the same order on every patient, which keeps findings comparable across visits and across staff.
- Record the patient details, date and examining clinician at the top of the chart.
- Examine each tooth in turn, using the modified Triadan number for that position.
- Note any fracture, discolouration, mobility, missing tooth or calculus against the tooth number.
- Probe the periodontal pockets at 4 to 6 sites around each tooth and record the readings.
- Record any treatment performed and the follow-up plan.
- Sign and date the chart, then transfer the findings into the patient record.
Keep dental findings with the visit record
Pabau keeps your dental chart findings attached to the patient’s clinical record, so the next clinician sees what was examined and what was treated.
Who is the canine dental chart helpful for?
General practices use the chart at routine dental checks and pre-anaesthetic examinations, where a full oral assessment is part of the visit. Dental specialty and referral clinics use it to record baseline findings before extractions or periodontal treatment.
Vet technicians use the chart during dental cleaning, where they often record probing readings and tooth-level findings for the veterinarian to review. Practice managers use the same record to keep dental procedures consistent across the team.
Benefits of using a canine dental chart template
A standard template removes guesswork from dental records. Every clinician fills in the same fields, so a missing probing reading is visible at a glance.
Consistent charting also supports audit and peer review. When two visits share the same tooth numbers and symbols, a reviewer can compare them directly rather than reading free text.
Pro Tip
Chart the mouth in the same order every time, from upper right to lower right. Clinicians who use one fixed route miss fewer teeth, and a second reviewer can check the chart without asking which tooth was meant.
Modified Triadan numbering for dogs
The modified Triadan system is the tooth-numbering standard used on canine charts. Each tooth gets a two-digit number, where the first digit identifies the quadrant and the second identifies the tooth’s position from the midline.
Adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth, and puppies have 28 deciduous teeth. Puppy teeth use the 5 to 8 prefixes, so a puppy chart and an adult chart never share a number.
How to complete a canine dental chart step by step
Completing the chart takes a clear sequence of examination, probing and recording. Clinicians need training in dental examination before using the record, because the chart captures findings but does not replace clinical skill.
Start with a visual inspection of each tooth using a dental explorer and mirror. Look for fractures, discolouration, mobility and calculus, then mark the findings against the tooth number.
Periodontal probing and sulcus depth
Periodontal probing is performed at 4 to 6 spots around each tooth. Normal sulcus depth in dogs is under 3 mm, and readings above that range should be recorded against the tooth and site.
Record each reading as a number rather than a general comment. A figure such as 5 mm on the distal buccal surface can be reviewed later, while “deep pocket” cannot.
Canine vs feline dental chart: Key differences
A canine dental chart uses 42 adult teeth, while a feline dental chart covers 30 permanent teeth. The same numbering logic applies to both, but the tooth positions and count differ, so a cat chart cannot be used for a dog.
Using the canine dental chart with your practice records
A paper or PDF chart is only useful if its findings reach the patient record. Transfer the tooth-level findings into the visit notes on the same day, so the chart and the clinical history agree.
Pabau’s client record keeps dental findings with the visit, so a later clinician can see the previous chart without searching a filing cabinet. Teams using digital forms can also collect the owner history before the examination begins.
Frequently asked questions about canine dental charts
What is a canine dental chart?
A canine dental chart is a template that records the findings for each tooth in a dog’s mouth, using a standard tooth number. It is used to document examinations, probing readings and treatment over time.
How do you complete a canine dental chart?
Record patient details first, examine each tooth in order, probe 4 to 6 sites per tooth, note findings against the tooth number, then sign and date the chart.
What is the normal sulcus depth in dogs?
Normal sulcus depth in dogs is under 3 mm. Readings above that range should be recorded against the tooth and probing site.
What tooth numbering system is used for dogs?
The modified Triadan system is the standard numbering system for dogs. The first digit identifies the quadrant and the second identifies the tooth’s position.
How do you chart puppy teeth?
Puppy teeth use the deciduous prefixes 5 to 8. Use a separate puppy chart so deciduous and permanent teeth are never mixed.
What instruments are used in veterinary dental charting?
A dental explorer and mirror are used to inspect teeth, and a periodontal probe measures pocket depth. Clinicians should be trained in their use before charting.
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