AVMA offers resources to help veterinarians promote good pet dental hygiene during National Pet Dental Health Month

For more information Phone: 847-285-6687 Cell: 847-732-6194
For immediate release: 01/27/2020

(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) January 27, 2020—February is National Pet Dental Health Month, an observance sponsored annually by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to address the significance of oral health care for pets. The AVMA has developed resources, including a pet dental health toolkit, to help veterinarians encourage clients to make sure their pets get the exams, cleanings, and other dental services they need to stay healthy.

The toolkit, available free to all AVMA members at avma.org/PetDental, includes materials to help educate clients on the importance of dental care and encourage them to bring their pets to the clinic for regular exams. Here’s just a sampling of what you will find:

  • Clinic materials, including a flyer, handout and brochure, along with videos, podcasts and other educational tools
  • Promotion and marketing ideas to help get the most out of your efforts to observe National Pet Dental Health Month
  • Publicity tools, including a customizable press release and letter to the editor, a newsletter article, photos for the media, and more
  • Talking points for media interviews
  • Downloadable images and pre-written social media posts for use on Facebook and Twitter

“As veterinarians, we know the importance of dental health, but many clients far underestimate the importance of good pet dental hygiene. They need to be reminded that dental health is a very important part of a pet’s overall health, and dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems,” said Dr. John Howe, AVMA president. “It is important that we encourage clients to have their pet’s teeth and gums checked by a veterinarian at least once a year for early signs of a problem and to keep their pet’s mouth healthy.”

You can find the AVMA pet dental health toolkit and other resources at avma.org/PetDental.

About the AVMA

Serving more than 100,000 member veterinarians, the AVMA is the nation's leading representative of the veterinary profession, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of animals, humans and the environment. Founded in 1863 and with members in every U.S. state and territory and more than 60 countries, the AVMA is one of the largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. Informed by our members' unique scientific training and clinical knowledge, the AVMA supports the crucial work of veterinarians and advocates for policies that advance the practice of veterinary medicine and improve animal and human health.