The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has released its 2026 Global Dental Guidelines, a full revision of the 2019 edition that adds new sections on dental and maxillofacial trauma, juvenile pathology, the role of veterinary nurses and technicians, and ergonomics.

The guidelines also feature an expanded section on radiographic interpretation — a direct response to one of the most common diagnostic gaps in general practice. The document is published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice and available online through Wiley Online Library.

The stated goal is practical: educate veterinary professionals and build their confidence in diagnosing and treating oral and dental disease in dogs and cats. To that end, the guidelines cover common conditions, diagnostic procedures, treatment, anesthesia and pain management, home dental care, and nutrition.

What changes at the exam table

For general practitioners, the 2026 revision signals several shifts in emphasis compared with the 2019 edition.

The new section on dental and maxillofacial trauma gives practitioners a structured framework for cases that previously fell outside the scope of the guidelines — fractures, avulsions and related injuries where timing of intervention affects outcomes.

The juvenile pathology section addresses oral disease in young patients, an area where congenital and developmental conditions often go unrecognized until they compromise adult dentition.

The expanded radiographic interpretation section responds to a persistent reality in practice: intraoral radiography changes treatment plans in a substantial share of cases, and under-reading of films remains a barrier to appropriate care. The updated guidance aims to close that gap.

The section on veterinary nurses and technicians formally recognizes their role in dentistry — from charting and dental radiography to client communication and home-care instruction. For practices, that has workflow implications: properly trained technicians can expand dental service capacity without adding veterinarian hours.

Ergonomics, meanwhile, addresses the physical toll of dental practice on the veterinary team — an occupational health consideration that has received little formal attention in previous guidance.

Anesthesia and welfare

The guidelines emphasize the connection between oral health and animal welfare and explicitly outline the risks associated with anesthesia-free dentistry. That position matters for client communication: owners increasingly encounter anesthesia-free dental services marketed directly to consumers, and the guidelines give practitioners an evidence-based reference point for those conversations.

The anesthesia and pain management content reinforces that dental procedures in companion animals require general anesthesia for proper diagnosis and treatment — including dental radiography.

Context from the authors

"The WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines are one of the most important contributions we can make to veterinary dentistry," says Dr. Brook Niemiec, co-author of the 2026 guidelines, in a statement. "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."

The 2019 edition became a widely used reference in small animal practice worldwide, and WSAVA has positioned the update as the successor standard for dental care. The association expects the new edition to shape continuing education and practice protocols globally, particularly in regions where formal dental training in veterinary curricula remains limited.

Practitioners can access the full 2026 Global Dental Guidelines through the Journal of Small Animal Practice at Wiley Online Library. With the new sections on trauma, juvenile pathology and technician roles now in print, the document is likely to become the reference standard that practices consult when building or updating their dental service protocols.