By Amber Hopkins, DVM, cVMA, CCRT, DACVAA
Administration methods and common complications are presented along with barriers and solutions for access to care.
Comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment are widely recognized as a cornerstone of veterinary patient care, recommended annually for companion animals. Dental health in pets is not merely cosmetic; it is intimately linked to systemic health, with untreated periodontal disease contributing to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and respiratory disorders.
The significance of periodontal disease is often subclinical and undetectable on routine oral exams until it has progressed significantly and silently, increasing the amount of dental work needed, the patient’s time under anesthesia, and thus the degree of pain and the patient’s anesthetic risk. Furthermore, the common practice of deferring dental intervention often results in a patient population that is older with comorbidities, necessitating careful anesthetic planning and more diligent perioperative management.
Primary factors that limit routine dental care in veterinary patients include client fears of anesthesia, especially in the older and medically compromised patient, the veterinary team's lack of confidence in treating higher-risk patients, financial apprehension among veterinary staff, which often leads to subjective assumptions regarding a client’s willingness or ability to invest in recommended care, and genuine financial constraints.
This article originally appeared on dvm360.com on January 13, 2026, as part of Thrive Pet Healthcare's Strategic Alliance with dvm360.
About Amber Hopkins, DVM, cVMA, CCRT, DACVAA
Dr. Hopkins serves as Vice President of Medical Operations for Thrive Pet Healthcare, as well as National Specialty Director of Anesthesia & Analgesia and Chair of the National Specialty Directors. She is board-certified in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia and holds advanced certifications in veterinary medical acupuncture, canine rehabilitation, pain management, and extracorporeal therapies.
Dr. Hopkins brings extensive clinical and leadership experience to her role, including seven years as a full-time anesthesiologist and pain specialist in a large specialty and emergency practice in San Diego and four years as medical director and anesthesiologist for a multi-service specialty, emergency, and primary care organization in Colorado. She also served as a Regional Medical Director prior to joining Thrive Pet Healthcare.
In her current role at Thrive Pet Healthcare, Dr. Hopkins supports and mentors veterinary leaders across the Western U.S. to build thriving hospital cultures, support financial growth, and develop clinical excellence. As the National Specialty Director of Anesthesia & Analgesia, she also leads organization-wide training with a focus on anesthesia, patient safety and pain management. These efforts ensure her teams deliver exceptional medical care and a superior experience for every client.
