Why is it so challenging to achieve veterinary client compliance with our tooth-brushing recommendations?
Improving client acceptance and compliance with recommendations to brush their pet’s teeth is a challenge faced by many general practitioners, veterinary nurses, and support staff. Why is it so difficult, and what are the roadblocks to the successful implementation of the gold standard in home care? Let’s look at the difficulties and some practical solutions to share with your clients.
Lived Experience
Let’s be honest – how many vets or nurses are brushing their own pet’s teeth? Probably the same % as our clients! Let’s look at this from the pet owner’s perspective because, in essence, that’s what we are in our own homes with our own pets. We have the same issues as your clients.
1. Lack of Time
Firstly, there is making time for this daily activity with our pets in our busy schedules. It is a misconception that toothbrushing takes a long time – in fact, less than a couple of minutes is all that is needed.
The solution to this problem is to make it part of your daily routine by linking it to something you do with your pet every day. For example, it could be part of a mealtime or on the return from your daily walk.
2. Pet acceptance
Pet acceptance is a common one! Clients often say, “My pet doesn’t like it”, which becomes a feasible reason for not choosing toothbrushing. However, introducing brushing needs to be done slowly, at the pace that the pet is comfortable with and always with positive reinforcement.
Often, the success of introducing brushing can be diminished when you rush the pet – remember, they don’t know what the expectation is, so going slowly wins the race!
3. Appropriateness
Appropriateness is an interesting aspect, and clients might ask the valid question, “Is it appropriate for my pet?” If the act of brushing is a painful experience for the animal, they are less likely to be compliant. A thorough oral exam should be performed before initiating any homecare plan to ensure it is appropriate for the pet and the client.
4. The Toothbrush
The design of the toothbrush can play a role in any difficulties experienced when introducing teeth brushing to a pet. If the bristles are too hard or the head is too large, this can make it an uncomfortable experience for the pet, increasing the difficulty for the owner.
The first step in successfully introducing toothbrushing
So, how do we successfully introduce toothbrushing to our clients?
Firstly, I would suggest starting by brushing your own pet’s teeth to experience the difficulties the client will face. This then will lead to the discovery of solutions that you can offer your client as well as empathising with your client about the challenge you are setting them up for.
Nurse Utilisation
Enlist your nursing team and be prepared for multiple consultations with your client and their pet. If your clinic offers free nurse dental consultations, incorporate lessons in toothbrushing as part of these nurse consultations. When we devote time to supporting and educating our clients, the outcome will be far more successful.
A regular regime of ‘toothbrush training’ consultations improves the successful introduction of toothbrushing – initially fortnightly visits, then monthly, then quarterly to ensure the motivation continues. This also keeps your clients engaged with dental health, and you can intervene at an early stage of disease development to help return the mouth to a healthy state, allowing clients to continue maintaining their oral health. When you have a client dedicated to brushing their pet’s teeth, they are also committed to their ongoing health, which means regular cleanings at your clinic!
Dentistry is about Saving Teeth!
It has long been documented that toothbrushing, in conjunction with regular professional dental cleanings, can help maintain a healthy periodontium. Therefore, daily toothbrushing should be recommended to every pet owner, and our teams should provide a proper education plan.
Products that can help: iM3 Homecare Range – simple & convenient solutions to send home after every dental treatment.
Oxyfresh Gel & Finger Brush Kit
This Oxyfresh homecare kit is crucial in maintaining normal healthy teeth and gums.
The Oxyfresh Pet Dental Gel and easy-to-use finger brush is a fast acting toothpaste gel providing a soothing blend of Oxygene and Aloe-Vera, formulated to clean, condition and help fight bad breath.
- Bad Breath – The patented blend of Oxygene® helps to clean teeth and eliminate bad breath
- Effective – Oxyfresh helps maintain normal healthy teeth and gums…safely
- Tasteless and odourless – Even the fussiest dogs & cats can’t detect the clear Oxyfresh gel
- Non-Toxic – Xylitol, chlorhexidine, alcohol & dye free formula, 100% safe for dogs, cats, and other pets
- Convenient – Apply a small drop of gel directly to the animals tounge or apply to the finger brush included
- Size – 28g Oxyfresh gel & 1 Oxyfresh finger brush
Finally, home dental care for pets is made easy… and it works! Oxyfresh Gel, combined with the mechanical action of brushing, is the gold standard in veterinary dentistry. Unlike other products, Oxyfresh Dental Gel, with its patented blend of Oxygene® is completely tasteless and odourless, so even the fussiest dogs or cats can’t detect it.
Bamboo Toothbrush
100% biodegradable, organic bamboo toothbrush specifically designed for use in pets. The handle and bristles have been designed to reach all tooth surfaces whilst giving the user an ergonomic and safe grip without being large and bulky in the mouth.
Works great with Oxyfresh Gel. Check out our video tooth brushing guide in our Education Section.
Oxyfresh Water Additive
Oxyfresh non-toxic water additive and dental gel solution is a must-have when it comes to fresh breath and the overall dental health of dogs and cats.
By the age of 3, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some form of periodontal disease which can take years off a pet’s life. That’s why Oxyfresh with its patented blend of Oxygene® and zinc was developed. It safely and effectively helps cleans the teeth and gums, freshens bad breath and is suitable for all animals including dogs and cats.
Unlike other products, Oxyfresh pet dental water additive is completely tasteless and odourless so even the fussiest dogs or cats can’t detect it.
Visit the iM3 website for more homecare dental products.
