Animal Hospital Dentistry: The Hidden Growth Opportunity

Posted by Emma Rose Gallimore on May 12, 2020

Most people understand that good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist can improve their overall health and well-being. They make getting their teeth professionally cleaned a part of their family’s healthcare routine. Yet, even people who count their pets as part of the family usually don’t think to bring their pet to a veterinary dentist unless there’s an emergency.

This lack of oral healthcare awareness represents a threat to pet health and a loss of income for veterinary hospitals. According to data from the American Animal Hospital Association in 2016, oral health accounted for just 4% of an average practice’s total income. Since poor dental health can lead to pain, halitosis, inflammation and infection, the value of prophylactic dental care is clearly much bigger than the income practices are earning from it.

Fortunately, veterinarians and veterinary healthcare teams can take action to improve pet health and increase revenue. Credentialed Veterinary Technician, Vickie Byard, is one of those paving the way for veterinary clinics and hospitals. Byard is a veterinary technician specialist in dentistry. This area of patient health is so important to her that she created www.PetED4VetCE.com a resource that helps educate pet owners about veterinary dental health. Now she travels across the country, helping hospitals and clinics learn above veterinary dental care.

Doctors, veterinary healthcare teams, and clients may all suffer from a lack of knowledge or confidence when it comes to veterinary oral health. “When a veterinarian is going to school, they’re really only getting about a week’s exposure to dentistry, and that’s not really enough to make them feel confident,” Byard said. As a result, they might avoid discussing it with clients.

Certified Veterinary Technicians also study veterinary dentistry as part of their curriculum. “Many schools are now making it a core skill,” Byard said. However, if the practice doesn’t focus on dental care, veterinary technicians may not have occasion to use their skills. Like any knowledge, what you don’t use, you lose.

As for clients, they look to the veterinary healthcare team to tell them what is important when it comes to the health of their pet. If healthcare providers don’t mention oral health, clients may think it’s not relevant. That’s why veterinary hospitals must make veterinary dentistry a part of regular checkups and service offerings. It starts with educating staff and clients.

Everyone on your healthcare team, including veterinarians, should be familiar with the 2019 AAHA Dental Healthcare Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. This document outlines the most common dental health concerns and how veterinary clinics can address them.

Oral surgery, including tooth extractions, must be performed only by licensed veterinarians. In most states, any credentialed veterinary team member can perform nonsurgical dental procedures under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Credentialed veterinary technicians already understand veterinary dental health. It is part of their credentialing exam. Veterinary hospitals and clinics can improve patient dental health by allowing these professionals to work to the top of their license.

The highest level of training and certification is the Veterinary Technician Specialist in Dentistry, designated as VTS (Dentistry). This certification is issued by the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Yet, doctors and technicians don’t necessarily need to be specialists to provide essential care. “Clients will drive hours and stay in hotels to have serious cases treated,” Byard said. “All you have to do is clean, extract, and recommend specialists when needed.”

Adding dental services to your care offerings can deliver a three-fold benefit: the patient is healthier, the client avoids costly veterinary bills caused by major dental emergencies, and the practice increases profitability.

Make sure every member of the team has the knowledge and vocabulary to discuss veterinary dental health with clients. Consistent messaging and clear procedures can help support patient dental health.