Establishing a standardized dental record-keeping system for a small investigational colony of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).
BACKGROUND
Dental hygiene is becoming an increasingly important component of quality health care for laboratory animals, especially non-human primates (NHPs). One key to a successful health care program is an effective and efficient record-keeping system.


METHODS
To standardize a dental hygiene program for a small colony of NHPs, we developed a dental recording chart specific for rhesus monkeys. This dental chart was developed using the modified Triadan system. This system numbers teeth across species according to location.


RESULTS
An illustrative case report was presented to demonstrate the accurate record keeping and spatial relationship generated from this Old World NHP dental chart design.


CONCLUSIONS
The development and implementation of a standardized dental chart, as part of a dental hygiene program will help minimize variables that may affect research data.
Gibson
B W
BW
Center for Comparative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA. bwg@bcm.tmc.edu
McGuffey
L
L
Raflo
C P
CP
Niemiec
B A
BA
D000038:Abscess / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D003792:Dental Records / Q000592:standards*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000662:veterinary*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D009057:Stomatognathic Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000379:methods