Our dental fees are somewhat lower than the nationwide average and we are aware of this fact. Last year  (10) we did 393 dentals on dogs and 143 on cats. This is a poor reflection on the care our clients give to their pets (and a poor reflection on our educating our clients), considering that about 75% of the pets we see each year need their teeth cleaned. We have about 3100 pets we care for, so do the math. I think that cost and the concern of anesthesia are the major reasons people don't get their pet's teeth cleaned when needed. We keep our costs quite reasonable in order to help more pets.  We are of the old-school philosophy: charge less, do more procedures. As far as anesthesia goes, most of the pets who need dentals are older. The anesthetics we use today are far superior to what we even had a few years ago and are extremely safe. We respect anesthesia, but have no qualms about anesthetizing a 17-year old pet for a dental. (Our average  dental fee for a routine cleaning,with no extractions, or other oral surgery,  is around 175 dollars.  (From The American Animal Hospital Association publication, "Trends" we find,in the February 2008 issue, the following information: The average dental fee of 1,000 clinics nationwide, for a routine cleaning, with NO extractions, etc, was 381.00 dollars - this makes our fees look as reasonable as they really are). Keep in mind - that 381 dollar fee was 3 years ago... Update: January 2011--> The new Veterinary Fee Reference was just recieved here in the clinic January 18th, 2011 and the new average fee for dental cleanings nationwide is $449.08 (again, excludes extractions and go-home pain meds).