After working with many anxious patients, Dr Charles and Dr Laura saw an opportunity to combine their love and knowledge of dogs with a way to help their nervous patients and began to research ways in which they could introduce a dental assistance dog into their practice.
Harvey is a rescue dog that Dr Charles and Dr Laura adopted through Dog Rescue Newcastle in February 2018. He has undergone extensive training and assessments through Animal Behaviour NSW.
Harvey is available to give cuddles to young and old patients or sit with nervous patients during treatment. He has comforted many anxious patients, as well as children.
Harvey’s favourite pastimes are eating (he loves snacking on carrots), destroying his stuffed toys and running around at the beach.
His weekends are spent walking into Terrigal to get a morning coffee with Dr Laura and Dr Charles, he is very social so if you see them around, please say hi!
As dental assistance dogs are relatively new to dental practices, we have come up with a list of
commonly asked questions:
A dental assistance dog is a dog trained to assist nervous patients before, during and after their dental procedures. It is one of the ways we hope to help people who avoid the dentist due to fear.
Dental assistance dogs come in all sizes and breeds. The most important characteristic of a dental assistance dog is their temperament. A good dental assistance dog must be friendly, patient, confident, gentle, and at ease in all situations. Harvey has been chosen as a dental therapy dog as he exhibits all these traits. Harvey loves nothing more than human contact, whether it be a pat on the head or sitting in your lap.
The purpose of the harness is to signify to Harvey that he is in ‘work mode’. When he is in ‘work mode’, he is calm, well-mannered, and takes his job seriously. Once the harness comes off, he returns to being a regular dog.
Yes! Harvey loves a pat and he will even sit in your lap for a cuddle whilst you’re waiting for your dental appointment. If you want some extra attention during your appointment, feel free to bring Harvey into the surgery, and he will sit on your lap and comfort you throughout your procedure. Harvey has a special talent with upset children and has been known to bring smiles to the faces of even the most nervous children at the dentist.
Yes! He is the most pampered pooch around. Harvey is regularly bathed and groomed. He even has a mint-flavoured doggy deodorant to keep them smelling fresh! Although Harvey is clean, like all dogs, he will shed a little, and we have lint brushes available if you find yourself a little hairy after a cuddle.
If you are interested in adopting a rescue dog, speak to Dr Laura and Dr Charles, they are involved with Dog Rescue Newcastle and can put you in touch with some of the foster carers so you can help give a dog like Harvey, a forever home.
Harvey lives with Dr Charles and Dr Laura and lives the life of a regular dog when he is not at the practice.
We firmly believe that the best dental services can be provided only with the most up-to-date technology. This is exactly why we have digital X-ray machines that allow for X-rays with the lowest radiation dose, pain-free electronic anaesthetic delivery and microscopes that ensure that every treatment is as precise as possible.
We at Terrigal Dental also believe that keeping patients waiting creates stress and anxiety. For this reason, we very rarely run late, which means that you will not be spending too much time in our patient lounge – even though it is a very nice and relaxing space.
At Terrigal Dental, we are a progressive practice, wholeheartedly committed to our community of patients. Our welcoming, professional and caring team strive to ensure patients are cared for ethically and meticulously, providing clear, honest communication of all options for optimal personalised dentistry.
BOOK APPOINTMENT
