Protect healthy smiles with the C.E.T.® Dental Authority Certification Program
It is not pleasant but it’s true: periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent diseases in companion animals, with some form of oral disease present in 80% of dogs and 70% of cats.1,2
Multiple factors contribute to those sky-high percentages, from lack of client knowledge to insufficient dentistry-related training for veterinary health care teams. All told, only 14% of companion animals receive professional dental care.3
A new resource from Virbac, the C.E.T. Dental Authority Certification Program, aims to reduce the prevalence of periodontal disease by increasing the percentage of dogs and cats receiving regular professional dental care. It is designed to empower veterinary professionals in client education and motivation.
In 4 sessions, the program explores the importance of preventive dental care for your patients’ overall health, its benefits for your clients and clinic, and client education and discussions.
Opening with a look at periodontal disease, the first session provides information about this progressive, painful disease, including a look at each of the 4 stages, 3 of which are irreversible. The session breaks down:
In session 2, we roll up our sleeves and examine the basic components of professional preventive dental care for your patients. This includes a review of the steps that make up a complete oral health assessment and treatment (COHAT)4:
As that first step suggests, client education is key, and your voice matters. When it comes to pet dental care, approximately 85% of clients will accept your recommendation, whether immediately or after some consideration.5
With that in mind, the session also explores how to successfully communicate the need for preventive care, including regular at-home care on the client’s part.
Educating the client about the need for regular at-home care can lead to a better outcome for the pet, strengthen the clinic-client relationship, and give the client a sense of involvement, achievement, and satisfaction.6
Once you have completed COHAT for a patient, including client education, the pet owner needs to apply your recommendations at home. This session looks at active (eg, tooth brushing) and passive (eg, dental chews) at-home care, discusses the place and relative value of each, and provides specific examples and suggestions.
The program wraps up with client communication tips and ideas for harnessing all team members in building client trust and confidence and, by extension, compliance with your recommendations. It also explores the benefits of consistent follow-up communication, as well as ways to address common client questions and misperceptions about in-clinic preventive care.
In an age of information overload, dental ambassadors can reach through the noise, communicating clearly to help clients understand the need for consistent preventive dental care in their dogs and cats. Both clinics and clients want the best possible care for pets, and this free program can be a valuable tool in reaching that goal.
For more information or to register for the C.E.T.® Dental Ambassador Certification Program, visit cetambassador.virbac.com or talk with your Virbac representative.
References
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