Pet dental care to be highlighted in February

By Joanne Clevenger, AVMA marketing assistant
Published on
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"Dental Care Shouldn't Be Like Pulling Teeth" is the poster caption for next month's Pets Need Dental Care, Too national public awareness campaign, co-sponsored for the sixth year by the AVMA, American Veterinary Dental Society, and Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.

During February - National Pet Dental Health Month, veterinarians are encouraged to make an extra effort to educate their clients and community on the importance of regular, professional dental care for our canine and feline companions.


The poster graphic for the Pets Need Dental Care, Too campaign, "Dental Care Shouldn't Be Like Pulling Teeth. Pets Need Dental Care, Too

New dental education materials

Hill's is once again funding the development of dental education kits to help veterinarians and their staff spread the dental health care message. The kits contain a poster, mat release, logo sheet, and print advertisement. While supplies last, veterinarians can call the Hill's Veterinary Consultation Line at (800) 548-8387 if they did not request a kit via the postcard announcement sent to hospitals in December.

The campaign is targeting the media with dental campaign press packets and interview opportunities with AVDS spokespersons who will volunteer their time and expertise in February. Also, for the first time, the campaign is reaching out to human dentists and asking them to remind their patients that, like people, our pets' oral health depends on regular, professional care.

Updated campaign Web site

The campaign Web site, www.petdental.com, has been updated with new graphics and dental care information that can be easily adapted for in-hospital use. Active all year, the site contains an informative area for pet owners and another designed for the media. The campaign Web site is an excellent resource for promoting the pet dental care message - not just in February, but all year long.