Why Dental Care is One of the Most Underrated Services in Veterinary Medicine

When considering preventive care in veterinary medicine, dental health often takes a backseat to vaccinations, wellness exams, and parasite control. Yet, dental care remains one of the most impactful (and frequently underutilized) services we can offer our patients.

Regular dental care improves pet ’ quality of life and longevity. It presents an opportunity for veterinary practices to provide exceptional care while enhancing financial sustainability.

So, why is dental care still so undervalued?

Let’s dive into the reasons dental services deserve a higher place on the priority list.

Periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition in adult dogs and cats, affecting them as young as age three. Despite this, dental care often needs to be addressed. A few reasons for this include:

Owner Awareness: many pet parents aren’t privy to the importance of dental health. They often assume everything is fine unless they witness clear signs of discomfort like drooling, difficulty eating, or bad breath.

Time Constraints: practices may hesitate to allocate resources or time to dental cases when they’re juggling surgical procedures, emergencies, and wellness visits.

But here’s the thing- addressing dental health isn’t just good medicine; it’s a significant revenue generator for your practice.

Veterinarians are healers first, and improving patient health will always be the primary goal- but maintaining healthy finances is essential, too. Dental care delivers on both fronts.

Dental Benefits for Patients: Better Health, Less Pain

We know dental disease doesn’t just affect the mouth. The bacteria associated with periodontal disease can lead to systemic health problems, including kidney, liver, and heart disease. When left untreated, pets often suffer from issues that owners don’t always recognize as related to their oral health.

Routine dental cleanings and digital X-rays allow us to detect and address problems early, preventing severe complications and improving quality of life. For pets, this means more comfortable sleeping, eating, and playing.

Dental Benefits for Veterinary Practices: A Profitable Service

Dental procedures are among the most profitable services in our industry.

Let’s look at why that is:

• High ROI on Equipment: Investing in dental x-ray and scaling equipment pays off quickly. The cost per procedure is relatively low, and the service is in high demand once clients understand its importance.

• Repeat Revenue: clients are encouraged to return annually, or more frequently, for certain breeds or cases which provides steady income for your practice.

• Better Client Retention: when owners see their pets thriving thanks to exceptional care, they’re more likely to stay loyal and trust your recommendations in other areas.

Industry Insights Highlight Dental Services

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and other organizations frequently note dentistry as a growth area in veterinary medicine.

According to industry reports, practices that emphasize dentistry see higher revenue growth than those that don’t.

Dental services account for up to 15–20% of revenue in some practices, proving that dentistry is a reliable income stream.

As more pet parents treat their pets as family, the demand for preventive care continues to rise and practices that position themselves as dental care leaders can capitalize on this trend- all while improving patient outcomes.

Elevating Dental Care in Your Practice

If dental care isn’t yet an essential service your practice provides, it’s never too late to make a change. Here are a few steps to boost your dental offerings:

Invest in Training and Equipment: don’t underestimate the value of continuing education and hands-on training – keeping your teams informed, confident, and well-practiced.

Client Education: many don’t understand the link between dental disease and overall health. Remember to use clear, digestible language to explain why dental care matters. Visual aids, before-and-after photos, and images can be helpful.

Bundle Preventive Packages: Consider offering dental packages that include cleaning, polishing, and X–rays. This will help clients see the value of comprehensive care.

Leverage Technology: Digital X-rays don’t just improve your diagnostic capabilities; they also help you communicate with clients.

Showing a client an image of a tooth root abscess, for example, makes it easier for them to understand the need for treatment.

By prioritizing dentistry, you’re addressing a significant unmet medical need and building a sustainable, profitable service that reinforces your practice’s reputation as a trusted partner in pet health.

After all, healthy teeth lead to healthier pets—and a healthier practice, too!