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Veterinary Health Care Teams Encouraged to Reflect Good Oral
Care Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. Sponsors 13th Annual National Pet Dental Health Campaign TOPEKA, Kan. (December 6, 2006) - Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets, and according to the American Veterinary Dental Society, it is estimated that more than 80 percent of dogs and cats over the age of four show signs of oral disease. Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. is pleased to help sponsor the Pets Need Dental Care, Too™ program, part of February's National Pet Dental Health Month. Now in its 13th year, the program seeks to challenge veterinarians and their clients to schedule regular dental appointments for their pets and establish an at-home dental care routine. "While tooth brushing is the gold standard for the maintenance of oral health, routine and consistent oral home care is often a difficult area of compliance for pet owners," said Brook Niemiec, D.V.M., DAVDC, FAVD. "Proper pet care requires recommending a daily routine for effective dental hygiene, such as Hill's® Prescription Diet® t/d® pet food." To help veterinarians educate their clients, Hill's will be sending 25,000 National Pet Dental Health Month Kits to veterinary hospitals around the country in early January. The new kits contain a Program Guide with suggested activities to help educate clients, logo pins, promotion tips, window clings, information on Prescription Diet t/d and consumer brochures on the basics of pet dental health. Kits will be delivered to hospital locations by their Hill's Customer Service Representative and can also be requested by visiting PetDental.com or by calling 1-800-892-4621. "The National Pet Dental Health Month campaign was instrumental in helping us get clients motivated about their pet's oral health needs," said Patricia Dominguez, LVT. "The program was the vehicle that guided us in generating mailings, a television spot on the local news and exciting in-clinic information. Clients received the message and it got them talking about it, coming in and requesting more information." Veterinary health care team members should also encourage their clients to understand that while February is the month designated to the promotion of pet dental health, ensuring proper oral care requires a yearlong commitment. By promoting routine maintenance they help clients prevent periodontal disease and help ensure a healthy life. National Pet Dental Health Month 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 and Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. In addition, this year the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians (AVDT) has joined the National Pet Dental Health Month list of partners promoting dental care. The AVDT gives technicians the opportunity to expand their knowledge and professional value by becoming a credentialed specialist in the field of dentistry. Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. manufactures Prescription Diet® brand pet foods, therapeutic pet foods available only through veterinarians, and Science Diet® brand pet foods sold through veterinarians and finer pet specialty stores. Founded more than 60 years ago by one veterinarian's unique commitment to pet nutrition and well-being, Hill's has never wavered from their mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Hill's produces high-quality, great tasting pet foods, so pet owners can follow the recommendations of the veterinary health care team. This ultimately improves patient health and the health of the practice. Visit HillsVet.com for more information on Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. and Hill's Evidence-Based Clinical Nutrition™ products. |