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  • 1.  October is National Dental Hygiene Month

    Posted 10-06-2025 09:27 AM


    In October, we observe National Dental Hygiene Month. This is a great time to talk about the importance of oral health and recognize those who help to keep us and our pets healthy!



    Oral health matters for a number of reasons. First, oral disease affects almost half of all people over the age of 30 and those rates are even higher for cats and dogs. Second, poor oral health in humans has been linked to other issues like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Finally, dental interventions can be extremely expensive! Staying on top of oral preventative care for both you and your pet will save you money in the long run.



    Our health behaviors are a key aspect of the determinants of health. The extent to which we take care of our oral health (brush teeth, floss, visit the dentist regularly) has an impact on our overall health! Us humans should be seeing the dentist every 6 or 12 months and dogs and cats should be getting their teeth looked at every year as well. And shoutout to those that help us- dental hygienists, dentists, and veterinarians!!



    Do your organizations provide any specific recommendations or assistance when it comes to oral health?



    References:

    National Dental Hygiene Month 2025 - ADHA

    Celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month 2025 - GoTu

    State of Pet Dental Health: Significant Majority of U.S. Dogs and Cats Have Oral Health Issues | Canine Chronicle



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    Kaitlyn Davis
    Research Associate
    UTK Program for Pet Health Equity
    TN
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  • 2.  RE: October is National Dental Hygiene Month

    Posted 10-07-2025 05:17 AM

    Well...I will say I would not be the poster child for proper human dental hygiene (I am probably living vicariously through our shelter patients in that I wait till a tooth of mine is so bad it needs to be pulled before visiting the dentist).

    On the pet side of it, though, I think that this is one of the most debated topics right now in vet med.  I work in more of an Access to Care/Spectrum of Care capacity in a non-profit, and we see sooooooo many dogs and cats in need of major dental work because owners could not afford what a normal dental procedure costs at their local vet. I don't know if anyone has a really good answer to the problem, as most often the costs involved in a dental prophy and possible extractions are completely justified considering all that goes into them.  It is a major issue, though, as for many pets this is a matter of life or death because of the pain and/or infection/severe inflammation that has set in causing them to not eat and suffer other infirmaries.  Right now I am probably doing at least 5-7 major dental procedures a week on dogs and cats that otherwise could not get that care. 



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    Bryan Langlois
    Medical Director
    Spay/Neuter Save Network
    PA
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: October is National Dental Hygiene Month

    Posted 10-09-2025 07:57 PM

    I really appreciate you sharing this @Bryan Langlois! You're so right - dental care feels like one of the biggest ongoing challenges in veterinary medicine, especially when we're looking at it through an Access to Care or Spectrum of Care lens. It's heartbreaking how something as "routine" as a dental can turn into a life-or-death issue when cost becomes a barrier.

    dog and his tooth brush

    What you're doing - providing 5–7 major dentals a week for pets who otherwise wouldn't get that care - is incredible! That you! You're easing pain, saving lives, and helping families stay whole. Thank you for being out there doing this work and showing what compassion in action really looks like. 💛



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    T' Fisher, Director of Operations
    Program for Pet Health Equity
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    Original Message


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