State by state dental health

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To raise awareness during National Pet Dental Health Month, Banfield Pet Hospital complied pet information from its database across more than 1000 hospital locations nationwide to assess the differences in dental health across the United States. Banfield analyzed more than 3 million pets from its database to see which states and breeds had the highest and lowest cases reported.¹

Oral health is significant because periodontal disease is one of the most common diseases affecting dogs, with a reported prevalence of at least 80% in dogs over 3 years of age.² It can present in a variety of conditions like gingivitis and periodontitis, which all impact the teeth and gums.³ Overall, Banfield had 73% of dogs and 64% of cats diagnosed with dental-related issues in 2023.¹ Banfield’s data also showed that cats with advanced stages of periodontal disease were 1.5 times more likely to develop chronic kidney disease and dogs were 2.3 times more likely. The veterinary hospital network also saw that dogs were 6.3 times more likely to develop endocarditis (infection of a heart valve) from late stages of periodontal disease.¹

"With the largest pet medical record database in the country, Banfield is dedicated to using our data to share insights to provide better care for pets and advance veterinary medicine," said Alea Harrison, DVM, chief medical officer of Banfield Pet Hospital, in the release. "Oral health is an integral part of a pet's overall health and wellbeing, and our veterinary teams are committed to partnering with pet owners to find the right professional and at-home care plan for each pet."¹

Banfield found the following rates of oral health issues for each breed:¹

1. Beagle—80.7%
2. Terrier—79.7%
3. Dachshund—79.3%
4. Chihuahua—78.9%
5. Yorkshire Terrier—78.4%
6. Maltese—77.8%
7. Miniature Schnauzer—77.8%
8. Labrador Retriever—75.9%
9. Shih Tzu—75.7%
10. Pomeranian—75.7%

The data shows that most dog breeds with oral health issues are small dogs but it is still an issue for larger breeds, as well, so all pet owners should be cautious and stay on top of their pet’s routine dental examinations.

When looking at data across the United States, Banfield found that Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York had the lowest rates of patients with dental disease, while Iowa, Idaho, and Minnesota had the highest rates.¹ Banfield does not have a specific reason as to why certain states are higher or lower, however, it could be because of the breed population in a particular state or the amount of pets that receive veterinary care at a Banfield Pet Hospital in that specific state.

To combat these high rates of dental disease, Banfield has collaborated with Mars Veterinary Health and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine to highlight the significant role dental procedures play in pharmaceutical stewardship, given their frequent occurrence in veterinary clinics. This partnered research delves into the current usage of antimicrobials in veterinary dentistry, seeking new opportunities for enhancement. It also outlines the patterns of antimicrobial usage in canine and feline dentistry within primary care practice. The objective is to utilize these valuable findings to guide interventions that optimize patient care and encourage responsible antimicrobial use during dental procedures.

References

1. State of pet dental health: Significant majority of US dogs and cats have oral health issues. News release. Banfield Pet Hospital. February 16, 2024. Accessed February 23, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/state-of-pet-dental-health-significant-majority-of-us-dogs-and-cats-have-oral-health-issues-302063737.html
2. Enlund KB, Brunius C, Hanson J, et al. Dog Owners' Perspectives on Canine Dental Health-A Questionnaire Study in Sweden. Front Vet Sci. 2020;7:298. doi:10.3389/fvets.2020.00298
3. Niemiec BA. Small Animal Dental, Oral, and Maxillofacial Disease: A Color Handbook. 2nd edition. CRC Press; 2011.