Oral health education opportunity for DVMs

Bridgewater, N.J.-Second to cost, a lack of knowledge is a chiefreason for poor canine oral health, a Pharmacia Animal Health survey shows.

The survey of 200 pet owners showed they treat their dog as a familymember or consider it to be a family member and have taken the animal tothe veterinarian in the last year for routine care.

In spite of this devotion, the survey found an overall lack of knowledgeon what constitutes good oral health care, even though 70 percent believeoral health care is important to a pet's well being.

Julia Stephanus, global marketing director, companion animal businessfor Pharmacia, says, "In our study, we found that more than 80 percentof pet owners believed their dog was getting an oral health exam becausethe mouth had been checked during an annual exam. Unfortunately, only 15percent actually took their dog to the veterinarian for oral-related problems,only 12 percent had oral X-rays taken and 27 percent had professional cleaningperformed. This tells us that there is a lot of educating to be done onwhat makes up a good oral health care program for a pet."

Some of the survey's findings:

* 86 percent of owners were very concerned about serious dentalproblems such as loss of teeth, gum disease, tooth decay, but only 13 percentrealized infection and abscesses can be an oral health problem. Only 11percent considered bad breath a sign of poor oral health.

* 40 percent did not recall their veterinarian discussing withthem the importance of good oral health care.

* 56 percent said they did not recall their veterinarian recommendingan oral exam.

* Only one-third recalled that their veterinarian had recommendedprofessional teeth cleaning.

* 90 percent did not recall their veterinarian recommending dentalX-rays be taken.

* 25 percent said they want more information on oral health care.

"Making oral health care a more integral part of veterinary practiceis a tremendous opportunity," Stephanus says. "Pet owners trusttheir veterinarians and 78 percent expect them to make oral health recommendations."