Dental, oral and maxillofacial diseases are among the most common conditions encountered in small animal practice and can cause significant pain and infection. The Guidelines recognise that access to education, equipment, medicines and treatment options varies considerably around the world and are designed to provide practical guidance that can be applied across different practice settings.
The 2026 Guidelines build on the previous edition, published in 2019, and have been extensively revised to reflect advances in the diagnosis and treatment of oral and dental disease. New content includes dedicated sections on dental and maxillofacial trauma, juvenile pathology, the role of veterinary nurses and technicians in dentistry, and ergonomics, together with an expanded section on radiographic interpretation.
“The WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines are one of the most important contributions we can make to veterinary dentistry. The first edition was a tremendous success, and we are confident that this updated version will help veterinary professionals strengthen their knowledge, improve the dental care they provide and, ultimately, help their patients live healthier and happier lives.” – Dr. Brook Niemiec, co-author of the 2026 WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines.
The Guidelines also cover common oral and dental diseases, diagnostic procedures and treatments, anaesthesia and pain management for dental procedures, home dental care and nutrition. They highlight the important relationship between oral health and animal welfare and address the risks associated with anaesthesia-free dentistry.
Developed by a multidisciplinary group of experts in dentistry, nutrition, anaesthesia and analgesia, veterinary nursing and animal welfare, the Guidelines are intended to support the entire veterinary healthcare team. Their goal is to help veterinary professionals recognise and treat oral and dental disease, while also supporting the inclusion of dentistry in veterinary education and increasing confidence in the delivery of appropriate dental care worldwide.
Recognising the wide variation in available resources globally, the Guidelines use WSAVA’s three-tier continuing education system to provide recommendations appropriate to different levels of access to equipment and treatment. At their core are practical fundamentals designed to help general practitioners successfully detect, diagnose and treat the most common oral and dental conditions.