Frequently Asked Questions

We have many years of experience to create a calming environment for our pet patients using relaxing music and aromatherapy. We give your dog time to acclimate to our environment and with our staff. We find a comfortable position for your dog, and use a variety of animal behavioral techniques, gentle proprietary holds, and massage to keep your pet comfortable and calm.  We then gradually and gently introduce them to the teeth cleaning procedure. For some dogs, if needed, we can give them a break during the cleaning process. Most pets easily achieve a peaceful state and are quite comfortable. If your dog typically needs pre-visit sedation or anti-anxiety medication for veterinary visits, please call our clinic to discuss recommendations for your pet.

Our dental instruments are the same used in other veterinarian facilities, such as dental hand scalers and dental polishers. We regularly sterilize our instruments with ultrasonic cleaner and autoclave.

Effective August 5, 2023 we have moved to a consistent cost for teeth cleaning of $300 per pet, regardless of size, weight or number of teeth. This includes a veterinarian exam, the removal of tartar and teeth polishing. We have a very high success rate with our canine patients. If only the exam was completed, the fee is $65.

Every 6 months is recommended for small dogs, however some medium and large dogs may only need a cleaning once a year. We make a recommendation on a case-by-case basis.

Everyday is ideal, but at least every other day makes a positive difference by removing plaque before it has the chance to mineralize into tartar that requires professional removal. We offer a variety of products to help you care for your dog’s teeth at home, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental sprays, dentals gels, dental chews and related products. We are always happy to discuss home care techniques and best practices with pet parents.

We recommend annual veterinary examinations to evaluate dental health along with the rest of your dog’s preventative healthcare. We see some patients as early as 1-2 years old.  If there is tartar buildup, especially near the gum line, we recommend cleaning. The longer your pet goes without teeth cleaning, the higher the risk dental tartar can build up allowing bacteria-laden plaque to migrate under the gum line leading to irreversible periodontal disease.

It is important that your pet connects with and focuses on their veterinary hygienist, therefore we ask that you not be present during the cleaning. Your presence can be distracting for your pet, and potentially cause a safety hazard for our staff and your pet. After our veterinarian completes the examination and confirms your dog is a candidate for our services, you will be free to go shopping, have coffee or visit other businesses within a mile of our clinic. We will call (and even text you) about 15 minutes before your pup is ready to be picked up!

Between 45 minutes to 2 hours. Our standard appointment during is 1 hour, however for new patients we allow up to 2 hours to complete the first cleaning.A member of our team will call you with a pickup time approximately 10-15 minutes before your dog is ready to be picked up. We take pride in our work and want to take as much time as needed to make it a safe and comfortable experience for all our patients. This gives them time to settle in or take a break during the cleaning if needed.

Please visit our website www.MyPetToothFairy.com and use our online scheduling system by clicking the red Schedule Appt button. You will be able to select a date and time that works best for you, pay the $65 deposit, and even upload current vaccination records.

We are continually evaluating our pricing structure with a goal to balance the highest quality and service with an affordable price compared to typical anesthesia-based practices. We currently offer new client a $25 discount on their first NAD appointment, as well as existing clients with new dogs in their family. We will continue to evaluate other discounts in the future.

We accept all digital wallet payment types (ApplePay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, PayPal, Venmo, etc) as well as debit and credit cards. We no longer accept cash or checks. NOTE: As of 2021, California as a state has not successfully passed legislation requiring businesses to accept cash as a form of payment. However, some California cities, like San Francisco, have passed their own legislation requiring businesses to accept cash as a form of payment.

Please call us at 707.317.8131. We would prefer to reschedule your appointment with a minimum of 48 hours advanced notice. However, if you are rescheduling 3 or more pets together, 72 hours advanced notice is required. If you still wish to cancel your appointment within the specified advance notice timeframes listed above, we will fully refund your deposit to the debit or credit card used at the time the appointment was made. Failure to adhere to this policy within the timeframes shown will result in forfeiture of the deposit(s).

Our veterinarians will complete an exam to determine if your dog is a good candidate.  This includes evaluation of your pet’s general health, oral health and temperament. The majority of dogs we see benefit from a non-anesthetic dental cleaning, however there are some instances where it will not be appropriate, such as severe gingivitis, advanced periodontal disease, loose teeth or in cases where the dog is overly anxious, fearful or attempts to bite the veterinarian or hygienist.

We no longer accept patients without proof of current rabies (DHPP/DAPP and Bordetella) vaccinations.  If your dog is not up to date with their rabies (DHPP/DAPP and Bordetella) vaccinations, we will refer you to your primary veterinarian or other vaccination clinic to receive the vaccinations. We would we be happy to schedule a non-anesthetic dental cleaning 14 days after the vaccinations have been completed. For dogs that cannot receive the rabies (or other) vaccines for any reason, unfortunately we will no longer be able to see your pet.

Our primary concern has been and will be the safety of our staff and other patients. We will accept unaltered dogs as patients that meet the following criteria: 1. Female dogs cannot be in heat. 2. Male or Female dogs cannot be aggressive towards other dogs. 3. Male or Female dogs cannot be aggressive towards any people. If you are confident your dog meets this criteria, we are happy to schedule an appointment!

We believe that having your dog vaccinated and protected from highly contagious or even fatal diseases is a positive step in your pet’s overall healthcare plan. Therefore, for the safety of our staff, customers and other patients, we follow the protocol used by many daycare and boarding facilities, some grooming facilities, and as outlined in the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Vaccination Guidelines for Dogs. We require your dog to be fully vaccinated for Rabies, Distemper/Hepatitis Parvovirus/Parainfluenza and Bordetella at the time of dental services. Proactive communication and full medical history about your dog’s preexisting health conditions and medications also helps us better determine the care we can provide. NOTE: We require current vaccination records for Rabies, DHPP/DAPP and Bordetella from a licensed veterinarian, on their business letterhead, including the date the vaccinations were administered, and when they are due to be updated. We cannot accept self-administered vaccination records if you purchased vaccines from another retailer or animal feed store.

You can easily RESCHEDULE your appointment by clicking the blue Reschedule/Cancel button at the bottom of your original Appointment Confirmation email. NOTE: You may RESCHEDULE your appointment up to 2 times and your deposit will carry over to the new appointment. Rescheduling more than 2 times will result in forfeiture of your deposit and a new deposit must be made to confirm your new appointment (please call us at 707.317.8131 to coordinate payment of the new deposit). In addition, you will have a maximum of 90 days to reschedule your appointment. If you do not reschedule your appointment within 90 days, your appointment will be cancelled and your deposit will be forfeited.

Effective August 5, 2023, we focus exclusively on non-anesthesia teeth cleaning for dogs only.

As news spreads across the US about increased cases in multiple states, we are monitoring veterinary and news reports as more information is provided. We acknowledge that much is still unknown about this disease, its cause and possible treatments. The disease impacts the respiratory system and can cause forms of pneumonia and other infections. Dog parents are encouraged to use good judgement and not to panic and ensure their dogs are current on vaccinations including *Bordetella and CIV (Canine Influenza). Some precautions include avoiding higher risk environments where you are uncertain of the vaccination or health status of other dogs such as dog parks, boarding and kennel facilities, groomers and day care facilities. Also avoid sharing water bowls, dog toys, chews, bedding etc with dogs outside of your household. Owners may also consider delaying or rescheduling wellness or non-urgent veterinary appointments. We encourage all dog owners to be especially aware of your dog’s behavior, health, and any unusual signs of potential infection of this virus. If your dog develops any of the following symptoms or a combination of multiple symptoms, please contact your primary veterinarian. Some symptoms include (but are not limited to): Coughing (soft, dry or wet) Sneezing Labored breathing Discharge from eyes or nose Changes in appetite Changes in energy level or lethargy We understand that some dog owners may wish to reschedule their non-anesthetic teeth cleaning appointments with us until more is know about this disease, its cause, possible treatments and even vaccination. *Bordetella and Canine Influenza Vaccinations The Bordetella vaccine provides immunity against Kennel Cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica) which is a highly contagious respiratory infection. The vaccine becomes effective in adult dogs a minimum of 72 hours after administered, however it is recommended to vaccinate at least 1-2 weeks before potential exposure if possible. An annual booster is required. The CIV H3N2/H3N8 combination vaccine provides immunity against both strains of the Canine Influenza virus. The initial vaccination is a 2-step process: 1st vaccination injection followed by a 2nd booster injection 14 days later. Immunization becomes effective in adult dogs a minimum of 2 weeks after the 2nd injection is administered. An annual booster is required.

Most dogs are highly adaptable to having their teeth cleaned. If you have been brushing your dog’s teeth at home, Great Job! If not, we encourage you to begin working with your dog to get them more accustomed and comfortable to having their mouth, teeth and gums touched. We offer products that include a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental gel all formulated for your dog. And don't forget doggy treats to reward them for their good behavior and daily brushing! Your dog will notice an immediate improvement to the feel of their teeth after the tartar has been removed. Often we pause the cleaning after the first tooth is cleaned to allow the dog to lick their teeth and feel the difference.

Our technicians are highly skilled hygienists. They understand how important it is to remove all of the tartar from the outside and inside surfaces of the teeth.

While non-anesthetic teeth cleaning does not replace a full comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment done under anesthesia, which includes dental X-rays and extractions if necessary, it can be a good alternative for those patients with a higher risk of complications under anesthesia.

Extractions require oral surgery done under anesthesia at a full service veterinary clinic or hospital. If we discover your dog requires any extractions during either our veterinary exam or during the teeth cleaning, we will record it on your pet’s medical record and provide you with a copy during the check-out process with recommendations to follow-up with your primary veterinarian. We will also share this information with your primary veterinarian to ensure continuity of care for your pet.

New environments can inherently cause some anxiety for your dog. To minimize this, taking your dog on a walk or run before the appointment provides an opportunity to release some energy and go potty. Endorphins from exercise are naturally calming. You know your dog's energy level best, so exercise to the level necessary so they will be ready to lay down and relax. By successfully doing this, your dog should settle in faster and be more at ease, which helps make their visit with us more pleasant.

We ask that you do not feed your dog approximately 2 hours prior to the appointment.  If your pet requires medication or becomes sick if not fed, please provide a small amount of food prior to the appointment, and then the remainder of food after you return home.

Not necessarily. You can still bring your dog in for their teeth cleaning appointment, and our veterinarian will evaluate their suitability for the procedure.  In many cases we can proceed, but in some instances, we may request that you reschedule the appointment. However, if your dog is ill or contagious, please reschedule the appointment for the safety of our other patients.

For new clients, or dogs scheduled for their first appointment, we need the pet parent to stay in the lobby area for approximately 15 minutes while our veterinarian performs the examination to determine if your dog is a suitable candidate for our non-anesthesia teeth cleaning service. After our veterinarian completes the examination and confirms your dog is a candidate for our services, you will be free to go shopping, have coffee or visit other businesses within a mile of our clinic. We will call (and even text you) about 15 minutes before your pup is ready to be picked up!