Pediatric veterinary dentistry generally refers to issues encountered in the first 12 months of life. Kittens and puppies are born without teeth present. The deciduous or baby teeth erupt and should fall out when the adult teeth erupt. Common conditions include retained baby teeth, missing teeth, impacted teeth, abnormally formed teeth, malocclusions, crowded teeth, cleft lip, cleft palate or trauma to baby teeth. In a specialty dentistry practice, we do not often get the opportunity to assess animals when they are young and developing. Instead, we see them later in life when these conditions have led to irreversible damage requiring extensive oral surgery. We offer consultations for patients of any age so we can get them off to a healthy start. Young patients should have regular oral exams to monitor proper growth and development.