When I was doing my practicum, I saw something very traumatic for me. A wire fox terrier was in for whatever reason. They brought him to the back room where I was, and I watched while the technicians literally broke off the tarter on the dogs molars with a pair of pliers.
Yes, the dog fought them, and yes, his mouth ended up bleeding, and yes, this was common practice for them. No, it was not a regular dentistry visit.
Now, I consider myself pretty immune to being shocked. Having done pit bull rescue, I am well aware what kind of cruelty ignorance breeds... But these were trained professionals, and to this day I am appalled by their actions.
If you do not want to put your dog completely under, I would find out of there is a sedative that can be used to take the edge off. But IF you are doing a full dental, I would have the dog put under. The tools being used are the same tools used on people, and if nothing else, the high pitched screaming of the sonic scaler could freak the dog out. Plus is there a lot of precision work involved going under the gum line, which can be painful.
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