Interview with MVDr. Kateřina Slabá
The oral health of our pets is talked about less than it should be. Yet untreated problems can lead to pain, loss of appetite, or even life-threatening conditions. MVDr. Kateřina Slabá, the only Czech board-certified specialist in veterinary dentistry, knows all about it. In an interview for DrVet, she describes her journey to the European top, advises how to take care of pets’ teeth, and explains why she recommends the product WeDental.
Could you please briefly introduce yourself to our readers? Who are you and what do you do professionally?
I am a European specialist in veterinary dentistry, I run a specialized dental practice in Písek, and I teach veterinary dentistry to veterinarians in the Czech Republic and abroad. My only professional focus is veterinary dentistry, dealing with small animals (dogs, cats, and small mammals). Veterinary dentistry is a broad field – it includes periodontology, conservative dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oncologic surgery of the oral cavity and jaws, prosthetics – basically all areas of dentistry. It is therefore very demanding, but at the same time a fascinating discipline.
What led you to veterinary dentistry?
Already during my studies, thanks to translating from English, I came into contact with dental topics, and Prof. Zlatko Pavlica inspired my passion for the field. From my point of view, it is a beautiful discipline, as it combines medical reasoning with fine craftsmanship – no case is the same, so it is always a challenge. Dentistry brings great satisfaction, as the improvement in patients’ quality of life is often dramatic.
Your clinic is equipped with top technologies. How does that impact the quality of care?
Technology is, of course, important, but the most crucial part is still the clinical examination of the patient and a thorough interview with the owner, which often reveals the most. Only then do modern technologies such as specialized dental CT, direct digital imaging with appropriately sized sensors for larger dogs, or piezosurgery equipment allow for faster, more efficient, and safer diagnosis and treatment. Combined with tailored safe anesthesia (including patients with concurrent diseases such as heart conditions), we can offer the most gentle treatment possible. With more than 20 years of experience, we are also able to treat high-risk patients much faster, which is vital since anesthesia safety decreases with time.
Which procedures do you encounter most often?
The most common treatment is periodontal therapy (diseases of the tooth’s supporting structures caused by infection, often associated with tartar), as more than 80% of dogs suffer from it. Tooth extractions are also frequent, but we are increasingly asked to preserve fractured teeth, so root canal treatments and fillings are also common.
What is the most common mistake pet owners make in dental care?
The biggest mistake is neglecting their pet’s teeth – either not brushing them and giving up if the animal does not tolerate it, or skipping regular professional cleaning once a year starting from the first year of age. Another mistake is giving dogs hard bones, antlers, hooves, etc., which often result in tooth fractures. Tennis balls also cause significant tooth damage in dogs.
What is the best prevention?
As I mentioned, the best prevention is daily tooth brushing, preventive checkups every 6 months, and once-a-year professional cleaning under anesthesia. Only then can we ensure dogs and cats have a healthy oral cavity without inflammation and pain. It’s not just about tartar but also tooth fractures, gum growths, foreign bodies, and even oral cancers – all of which can only be detected if owners and vets regularly check the oral cavity.
Do you feel that owners’ attitudes toward dental care are changing? Is awareness improving?
I hope so, and I do my best to help – by educating the public on social media, YouTube, etc., and by training veterinarians and technicians, which is always in demand. Unfortunately, many patients have visited several vets without ever being told that a fractured tooth needs treatment. There is still a lot of work ahead, and I don’t think it will ever be finished. I see it as my life’s mission. That’s why I’m grateful for this interview – it also helps raise awareness among pet owners.
You personally recommend WeDental. Why did you choose this paste and how is it different from other products? Who is it suitable for? How quickly can owners see results?
WeDental paste has a good composition – it contains enzymes and zinc, comes in practical packaging with a dispenser, and pets like its taste. It is suitable for both dogs and cats. Using enzyme-based products improves the effectiveness of brushing, and for pets that do not tolerate brushing, even just applying the paste to the teeth is beneficial. The effect is visible after just a few days. However, it must be noted that in animals with heavy tartar and plaque, effectiveness will be low or may even worsen the situation, as inflamed gums can be painful, leading the pet to refuse brushing in the future. Therefore, professional cleaning must always come first, and only then can brushing begin. Ideally, tooth-brushing training should start in puppies and kittens.
What motivates you most in your work?
The greatest motivation is improving pets’ health and the satisfaction of owners, who often realize only after treatment that their animal had been suffering from chronic dental pain. Symptoms like reduced activity, loss of appetite, apathy, or irritability are often wrongly attributed to aging. The transformation after treatment is amazing – the animal becomes lively again, which is a great joy. In working dogs, dentistry is also rewarding – a police or prison service dog that loses its canines can no longer serve, but if we can save those teeth, they can continue to work and benefit society. For cats with throat inflammations, dental treatment can literally be lifesaving. We truly have a beautiful profession.
How do you see the future of veterinary dentistry in the Czech Republic?
The future looks good. The field is developing, we founded the Dental Section of the Czech Association of Small Animal Practitioners, and we organize many training events, which are in high demand. Veterinary nurses and technicians also want education. I am also training another veterinarian, Dr. Stránská, with whom I have been collaborating long-term in teaching. So in a few years, the Czech Republic may have another specialist.
This interview was conducted with MVDr. Kateřina Slabá, a European specialist in veterinary dentistry. Her clinic for dogs, cats, and small mammals is located in Písek.
Veterinary Dentistry MVDr. Kateřina Slabá
tř. Národní svobody 30/1, Písek 39701
Tel.: +420 737 168 324
E-mail: ordinace@veterinarni-stomatologie.cz