The 15th Annual Pets Need Dental Care, Too campaign launched Nov. 24. The aim of the campaign, which coincides with National Pet Dental Month in February, is to encourage veterinary health care teams to talk with clients about scheduling regular professional oral health exams for their pets and to establish a home dental care routine. Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. of Topeka, Kan., one of the campaign sponsors, will provide free kits to veterinary hospitals starting in early December. The kits contain pet owner invitation postcards, pet owner guides with report cards, information on Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d brand pet food, a mouse pad and a 2009 Pet Dental Awareness Contest entry form. All pet hospitals that conduct activities to promote pet dental health are eligible to enter the contest. Entries will be judged based on effective use of the kit materials, a case study of a pet helped during the campaign, integration of dental care by the pet hospital during and after the campaign, creative ideas and execution, and community outreach efforts. The first-place winner will get $2,000; second place, $1,000; and third place, $500. Seven other winners will receive membership in the American Veterinary Dental Society and a subscription to the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry. Click here for details or call 877-552-1550. In addition to Hill’s, the annual campaign is made possible by a partnership between the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Dental Society, the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, the American Veterinary Dental College, the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians and, new this year, the Veterinary Oral Health Council. <HOME>
