Genitrix is encouraging practices to capitalise on the growing market opportunity for dental treatments with a series of special offers on its Dentagen dental range during March 2010. It’s also urging practices to declare March ‘Dental Care Month’ and to use it as a platform to step up the education they offer to pet owners on this important welfare issue.

The Dentagen range uses a plant extract called RF2 which operates as an ‘anti-biofilm’ treatment, modifying the membrane of oral bacteria to prevent them from producing plaque even at low concentrations. Dentagen Wax is applied to dogs or cats at the end of dental procedures in practice and while the animal is still sedated. It forms a protective coating over the teeth, which lasts for several days.

Pet owners can then maintain the protective coating by giving their pet either Dentagen plaque prevention chews every other day or the Dentagen Aqua drinking water additive.

For dogs the chews, which are impregnated with RF2 and of a specially designed shape and consistency, are supplied in two sizes with the larger size designed for dogs over 8 kg and a smaller size for dogs less than 8 kg. Dentagen Aqua is an innovative drinking water additive containing RF2. The palatable liquid, which is added to a pet’s drinking water, has proved particularly effective in treating cats which don’t respond well to tooth-brushing or dental chews.

“It’s well known that dental disease affects 80% of pets over three years’ old and, if left untreated, can go on to cause serious health problems,” comments Rob Watkins, Genitrix’ marketing director.

“Data from veterinary practices also confirms that many of them are not achieving the revenue they could from offering dental treatments to their clients. We want them to get their teeth into this important revenue opportunity so we’re calling on practices to make March ‘Dental Care Month’ and are offering them a special deal on Dentagen products to get them started.

The efficacy of the Dentagen range in inhibiting plaque formation has been proven in clinical trials and it has proved popular with pet owners, increasing their compliance with preventative health regimes.”