Pet dental month, campaign look out for healthy smiles

Published on
information-circle This article is more than 3 years old

Pets Need Dental Care, TooThe AVMA is collecting photos of pets' pearly whites to celebrate National Pet Dental Health Month this February.

The AVMA encourages pet owners to upload pictures of their pet's healthy smile to Flickr, a photo-sharing Web site, here.

The year-round "Pets Need Dental Care, Too" campaign also continues to provide materials to help veterinary clinics promote oral health for pets through regular, professional examinations and an in-home dental care routine.

Co-sponsoring the educational campaign are the AVMA, Hill's Pet Nutrition, American Veterinary Dental Society, Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, American Veterinary Dental College, Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians, and Veterinary Oral Health Council.

For 2010, Hill's is once again producing free campaign kits for veterinary clinics. The basic kit includes a guide for the examination room and guides for pet owners. Veterinary clinics may request additional guides, postcards inviting clients to schedule dental examinations, and materials to promote the "Pets Need Dental Care, Too" campaign—mouse pads, window clings, posters, and temporary tattoos. Campaign kits are available on request, while supplies last, by visiting www.petdental.com.

Additional campaign materials are available for download from the Web site. These materials include a program guide, banner and sign, tooth stencil, template for news releases, on-hold telephone message, logos, and kids' activity pages.

The Web site also provides informational resources about pet dental care for veterinary professionals and pet owners.