Use Modern Technology to Improve Pet Dental Health in Your Practice

Use Modern Technology to Improve Pet Dental Health in Your Practice

Many pet owners fail to prioritize their pet's dental health even though research shows that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats exhibit signs of periodontal disease by age of two (1). Often, pet parents are unaware of warning signs like difficulty chewing, pawing at the mouth, or appetite changes. Additionally, the perceived cost of dental cleanings can deter proactive action.

Veterinary practices can address these challenges by focusing on education and client engagement and emphasizing key messages that resonate with pet parents:

• Improved Health: regular dental care improves pets' well-being and reduces emergency visits.
• Cost Savings: preventative dental care, such as routine cleanings and at-home maintenance, costs significantly less than treating advanced periodontal disease, which can be up to five times more expensive (2).

By leveraging modern client communication and practice automation technology, veterinarians can streamline and automate initiatives to promote pet dental health effectively.

Steps to Promote Pet Dental Health.

Educate clients:

• Use your website to host educational content, home care tips, or recorded webinars highlighting the importance of oral health.
• Share educational materials through social media and email campaigns, directing readers to explore further resources on your website.
• Reinforce these messages repeatedly to ensure they resonate with pet parents.

Automate dental cleaning appointment scheduling:

• Include links to educational resources or booking systems in routine health check reminders.
• Set up automated reminders specifically for when pets are due for dental cleanings, making it easy for owners to schedule appointments.

Promote preventative care with special offers:

• Offer discounts during National Pet Dental Health Month or create bundles that combine cleanings with wellness checkups.
• Use newsletters, social media posts, or website banners to communicate these promotions effectively to your community.

Recommend and sell at-home tools:

• During wellness visits, suggest pet-safe dental products such as toothpaste, brushes, and dental chews.
• Stock these items in your practice and promote them through email updates, newsletters, or social media posts to encourage regular at-home care.

By prioritizing pet dental health education and preventative care, veterinary practices can improve pets' overall well-being, foster client loyalty, and save owners money. Client communication and practice automation technology would help veterinarians make these workstreams easier and require minimal resources from the practice staff. This focused effort would drive increased appointments and long-term business growth. Dental health is truly a win-win for pets, their owners, and veterinary practices alike.

Sources:

• (1) Wiggs RB, Lobprise HB. Periodontology, In Veterinary Dentistry, Principles and Practice. Lippincott Raven; 1997:186-231.

• (2) https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/periodontal-disease-in-dogs