The latest advances in fighting periodontal disease (Sponsored by Virbac)

As a veterinary team member, you can empower your practice to provide exceptional care—by educating clients and suggesting product solutions that take animal health to the next level. Recently, scientific innovations have found a way to combat

periodontal disease, which threatens more than just tooth loss.

A shift in perspective

A chronic periodontal infection can cause a systemic inflammatory response that may also damage vital organs, such as the kidneys, liver, lungs, and brain.1 Although veterinary practitioners and technicians have traditionally viewed preventive oral care only in terms of plaque and tartar control, they are beginning to realize that controlling infection is just as important.

Most Veterinary Oral Health Council-approved products only control plaque, tartar, or both. However, Virbac's C.E.T. home dental care products go one step further by using powerful antibacterial and antiseptic agents that also help to eliminate plaque-forming bacteria. C.E.T. products are a part of an easy, three-step method that clients can use at home to help fight periodontal disease.

STEP 1: GOOD TO CHEW. Clients can combine treat time and home dental care with C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews for dogs and cats. The chews come in tasty poultry/beef flavor for dogs and poultry or fish flavors for cats and use the C.E.T. Dual-Enzyme system to help control bacteria and decrease plaque buildup. Plus, C.E.T. HEXtra Premium Chews for dogs combine the mechanical action of rawhide with the antimicrobial power of chlorhexidine to attack bacteria and plaque simultaneously.

STEP 2: BETTER TO RINSE. If clients say it's difficult to brush their pet's teeth, Virbac offers C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Rinse, which combines chlorhexidine and zinc gluconate for plaque control with or without brushing. The rinse also contains cetylpryridinium for fresh breath. Clients can also add two teaspoons of specially formulated C.E.T. AquaDent to their pet's water every day for fresh breath and brush-free plaque prevention.

STEP 3: BEST TO BRUSH. For clients committed to brushing, C.E.T.'s soft-bristle toothbrushes, finger brushes, and palatable toothpastes are designed for dogs and cats of all sizes. The C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste uses the C.E.T. Dual Enzyme system to inhibit the formation of plaque, while the C.E.T. Tartar Control Toothpaste targets rapid-forming plaque.

Helping clients understand the threat periodontal disease poses is often the toughest challenge for veterinary team members. But when you combine Virbac's line of C.E.T. products with client education, it will empower your practice to prevent patient suffering and provide exceptional care. That is oral hygiene to the Power of V.

Reference

1. DeBowes LJ, Moiser D, Logan E, et al. Association of periodontal disease and histologic lesions in multiple organs from 45 dogs. J Vet Dent 1996;13:57-60.

Online resources

• Log on to www.virbacvet.com for more information on Virbac's line of C.E.T. home dental care products and Virbac's "Pets have teeth too" brochure.

• Visit C.E.T. University at www.cetuniversity.com to access the latest oral care information for pets, earn your diploma as a certifi ed C.E.T. dental consultant, and receive continuing education credit.

Make it a habit, and clients will, too

By age 3, the American Veterinary Dental Society estimates that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have periodontal disease. Combat this ongoing problem by keeping clients motivated and informed. Follow these tips to keep them thinking about oral care during their appointment and at home.

• A picture is worth a thousand words. Using photos or models can make it easier for clients to grasp how serious periodontal disease can be. Explain the benefits of treating the disease before it becomes irreversible.
• Hang a visual on your wall depicting the various stages of periodontal disease.
• Show a DVD in your waiting or exam rooms that includes information on home dental care.
• Keep teeth that have been extracted as a result of periodontal disease. Explain to clients that this could happen to their pets without the proper preventive care.
• Send literature home with clients, like Virbac's Pets have teeth, too educational brochure. The included photos will convince them to get in the habit of examining their pets teeth and motivate them to keep those teeth looking healthy.
• Send reminder postcards to clients about yearly dental exams and cleanings.
• Invite clients to come in for free pointers on how to properly brush their pets teeth.