I have been watching the comments on this petition accumulate, paying particular attention to those from veterinarians.

Noting that some think the change would be fine but a larger number do not, I began to think that this should not be approved since there is no consensus within the veterinary profession about its safety.

And then on November 30 Dr. Thomas Chamberlain posted his long and detailed explanation of the reasons for his opposition, and with that it became clear that this should not go forward.  When a board certified veterinary dental specialist says that approving gingival suturing by LVTs would be a mistake, the Board should disapprove this petition.

As an aside, I note that he states that “In the State of Virginia, LVTs are currently allowed to extract single rooted teeth. This aspect of the practice act is already abused. It is common knowledge that veterinarians regularly section multi-rooted teeth, refer to them as “single rooted teeth”, and then allow assistants to extract. The public is uninformed and unaware of this practice. Informed consent for LVTs performing even single root extractions is not provided in most practices. Allowing LVTs to suture will open additional abuse potential. Allowing assistants (LVTs) to perform dental surgery (extractions, suturing, etc.) is allowing the practice of veterinary medicine. Owners are usually uninformed when this does occur.”

I have had a total of nine cats in my care over a 44 year period, and as I have moved around the country I have taken them to 5 primary care practices and 3 specialty practices.  At no time has any veterinarian ever said to me “I will be doing this and my LVT will be doing that.”  And I certainly don’t want an LVT performing any aspect of oral surgery on any of my cats