In the opening episode of the second series of the WSAVA Podcast, interviewer David Clarke speaks with two expert clinicians about the links between oral health, systemic disease, and animal welfare in companion animals.

Dr Maria Soltero-Rivera discusses how oral disease in dogs and cats is rarely limited to the mouth alone. She explores how oral lesions may be associated with a wide range of systemic conditions, and why careful oral examination and pattern recognition are essential parts of medical assessment. Dr Soltero-Rivera also reflects on the need to view dentistry as part of core medicine rather than an isolated procedure.

Later in the episode, Dr Jen Mathis, focuses on oral pain and its impact on welfare. She examines why dental pain is often missed in clinical practice, how it can influence behaviour and quality of life, and the implications of delayed treatment. Dr Mathis also highlights the role of effective anaesthesia and analgesia in supporting patient welfare during dental care.

Together, these conversations introduce key themes for the series and set the stage for a deeper exploration of veterinary dentistry across the full spectrum of care.

Resources & Links

• WSAVA Global Dental Committee
• WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines  
• WSAVA Educational Resources  
• Association of periodontal disease and histologic lesions in multiple organs from 45 dogs
• Periodontal disease burden and pathological changes in organs of dogs
• Association of periodontal disease with systemic health indices in dogs and the systemic response to treatment of periodontal disease
• FECAVA factsheet : Oral health and systemic disease in companion animals
  
  

Contributors

• Dr Maria Soltero-Rivera, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, Dipl. EVDC – LinkedIn
• Dr Jen Mathis, DVM – LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | ResearchGate | ORCID 
• David Clarke BVSc, DAVDC, DAVDC-ZWD, FAVD, MANZCVS, Cert IV TA – LinkedIn

Click here for the full transcript

This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.