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. 2025 Aug 26:12:1619326.
doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1619326. eCollection 2025.

Management of dental disease in eared seals (family Otariidae): a Delphi approach

Claire A Simeone  1   2   3 , Nora Schwitzer  4   5 , Shawn P Johnson  1   2 , José C Almansa Ruiz  6 , Yves Debosschere  7 , Judy Force  8 , Aaron Forsayeth  9 , Jerzy P Gawor  10 , Margherita Gracis  11 , Steven Holmstrom  12 , Loïc Legendre  13 , Lisa A Mestrinho  14 , Arlete R Sogorb  15   16   17 , Gerhard Steenkamp  18   19 , Rebecca Tucker  9 , Cedric Tutt  20 , Ignacio Velázquez Urgel  21 , Allison Woody  1   22
Affiliations

Management of dental disease in eared seals (family Otariidae): a Delphi approach

Claire A Simeone et al. Front Vet Sci. .

Abstract

Objective: Published literature is sparse on topics associated with eared seal (otariid) dentistry. The objective of this study was to establish consensus on effective management of dental disease in otariids, using a Delphi approach.

Methods: A total of 25 veterinarians with experience managing dental disease in seven species of otariids participated in the Delphi process.

Results: Oral lesions and their contributing risk factors were ranked according to perceived frequency. Consensus statements for best practices were agreed upon for a variety of topics within the categories of planning and preparation, procedural details, intervention strategies, and postoperative care. Panelist comments were collated into a Supplementary File to assist clinicians in forming their own conclusions on topics for which no consensus yet exists.

Conclusion: Opportunities for future research include factors associated with oral lesions, ideal anesthetic management, identification of ideal candidates for endodontic therapies, ideal local and regional anesthesia, ideal suture and closure techniques, particularly with the goal of reducing dehiscence as a postoperative complication, and ideal postoperative care options.

Keywords: Delphi; Otariidae; best practices; dentistry; fur seal; sea lion; veterinary medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

YD was employed by Tsavran Consulting. LL was employed by West Coast Veterinary Dental Services Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Procedure and timelines for panelists in the Delphi study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Expected (circle) and experienced (star) complications reported by panelists according to their perceived frequency. Ranking ranges from 1 = most frequent to 5 = least frequent, and 6 = N/A, have not observed. Interquartile range (IQR) is reported in parentheses.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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