When your dog or cat needs dental care, you want veterinarians who combine medical expertise with the gentle, family-oriented approach that makes both pets and their parents feel comfortable during what can be a stressful experience. At Pawtown Veterinary Care, Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer have created a dental care program specifically designed for Bend’s active pet community, offering comprehensive oral health services in an environment that feels more like visiting caring friends than a clinical setting.
Your pet’s dental health directly impacts their ability to enjoy Central Oregon’s outdoor adventures, from comfortable chewing on hiking trail snacks to pain-free eating after long days exploring the beautiful landscapes around Bend. Our comprehensive veterinary services include dental care that addresses the unique needs of active dogs and cats while maintaining the hometown, personal touch that sets us apart from corporate veterinary chains.
Our Approach to Pet Dental Care
Dr. Erin Miller brings over 25 years of veterinary experience to dental care, having graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999 and completed her internship at The Ohio State University. Dr. Lauren Stayer, an Oregon native and Oregon State University graduate, adds her passion for creating bonds with patients and their families to every dental procedure.
Together, they’ve developed a dental care approach that prioritizes building trust with both pets and their families. Rather than rushing through procedures, we take time to explain what we’re seeing in your pet’s mouth, why specific treatments are necessary, and how dental care fits into your pet’s overall health picture.
Our family-like clinic culture means your pet receives individualized attention throughout their dental care experience. We remember that some dogs get anxious about car rides to the vet, that certain cats prefer being handled in specific ways, and that every pet has unique personality traits that affect their comfort level during dental procedures.
The locally-owned difference shows in our flexibility and willingness to work with families on the following:
- Treatment timing
- Payment options (Care Credit or Scratch Pay)
- Follow-up care
We’re not bound by corporate policies that prioritize profits over patient relationships, allowing us to focus entirely on what’s best for your pet and your family.
Dental Care for Bend's Active Pets
Central Oregon’s outdoor lifestyle creates specific dental health challenges that we address through our comprehensive care approach.
Chipped or Fractured Teeth
Dogs who love hiking Bend’s trails often encounter sticks, rocks, and other objects that can chip or fracture teeth, while cats exploring outdoor environments face different risks that affect their oral health.
Dental Care For Senior Pets
We’ve noticed that many Bend pets are incredibly active well into their senior years, thanks to the area’s year-round outdoor opportunities. Maintaining good dental health becomes crucial for these adventure-loving companions who need comfortable mouths to fully enjoy their active lifestyles throughout their lives.
Dental Care Allows Your Pet to Enjoy Outdoor Companionship
Mountain biking dogs, hiking companions, and trail-running partners all benefit from our preventive dental approach that keeps them comfortable during their favorite activities. We understand that Bend pet parents want their companions to be able to carry sticks, drink from mountain streams, and enjoy trail snacks without dental discomfort.
Helping Rescue Pets
Our experience with rescue pets through our free adoption exam program has shown us how poor dental health can affect a pet’s ability to bond with new families and settle into active Bend lifestyles. Comprehensive dental care often transforms these pets into confident, comfortable companions ready for Central Oregon adventures.
Beyond Basic Cleaning: Comprehensive Oral Health
While many veterinary practices focus solely on dental cleanings, Dr. Miller and Dr. Stayer provide comprehensive oral health management that addresses the whole pet, not just their teeth. This approach reflects their shared philosophy that every aspect of veterinary care should support your pet’s ability to live their best life.
Dr. Miller’s love for solving puzzles and fixing problems shines through in her diagnostic approach to dental disease. She doesn’t just clean teeth, she investigates why dental problems develop, addresses underlying causes, and creates prevention strategies tailored to each pet’s lifestyle and risk factors.
Dr. Stayer’s passion for caring for geriatric patients means our dental program pays special attention to senior pets who may have years of accumulated dental issues. Her gentle approach helps nervous older pets feel comfortable during procedures while addressing dental problems that may have been causing silent pain for months or years.
We use digital dental radiography not just to find obvious problems, but to identify early changes that allow preventive treatment before painful conditions develop. This proactive approach aligns with our commitment to keeping pets comfortable and active throughout their lives.
Making Pet Dental Care Accessible
Understanding that unexpected dental needs can strain family budgets, we’ve structured our dental services to be as accessible as possible for Bend families. Our Care Credit and Scratch Pay financing options ensure that financial concerns never prevent pets from receiving needed dental care.
Our free adoption exams for rescue pets often identify dental issues that new families might not expect. We work with adopting families to prioritize dental treatments and spread costs over time, ensuring rescue pets get the fresh start they deserve without overwhelming their new families financially.
Regular dental wellness programs help families budget for ongoing dental care rather than facing unexpected large expenses when problems become severe. This preventive approach saves money long-term while keeping pets more comfortable throughout their lives.
Specialized Services We Provide Your Pets
Dr. Miller’s problem-solving approach has led to the development of specialized dental services that address unique situations common in our active Bend community.
These include the following:
- Treatment for outdoor-related dental trauma
- Management of dental issues in senior adventure dogs
- Preventive care for young pets being trained for outdoor activities
We provide dental care coordination for families with multiple pets, scheduling procedures efficiently and offering family discounts that make comprehensive care more manageable. This service particularly benefits families with several rescue pets who may all need dental attention.
Our dental emergency services, available during business hours, address sudden dental pain, knocked-out teeth, or jaw injuries that occur during outdoor activities. Having local access to immediate dental care means Bend pets don’t have to suffer while waiting for appointments or traveling to distant specialists.
Your Local Pet Dental Care Partners
Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer have chosen to make Bend their home because they love this community and want to provide the kind of veterinary care they’d want for their own pets. This personal investment in Central Oregon shows in every aspect of our dental care program.
We understand that your pet isn’t just an animal—they’re your hiking buddy, your comfort during tough times, and an irreplaceable family member who deserves the best care available. Our dental services reflect this understanding through personalized attention, gentle techniques, and ongoing support that extends far beyond individual procedures. Contact our caring dental team to schedule your pet’s dental consultation and discover how our hometown approach to veterinary dental care can help your beloved companion maintain a healthy, comfortable smile for years of adventures ahead in Central Oregon.