Patterson spotlights dental month prep with Dr. Zack Mills

Patterson Veterinary is using its All Things Veterinary podcast to help clinics gear up for Pet Dental Health Month, featuring Dr. Zack Mills of Tiger Tails Animal Hospital. In the episode, Mills draws on more than 40 years in practice and animal health leadership to discuss how teams can prepare for a seasonal push in dentistry, with a focus on patient care, pet parent compliance, and newer tools shaping dental workflows. Mills brings both clinical and business credibility to the conversation: he leads a two-hospital Georgia practice and previously held senior roles at Merial, where he worked across veterinary medical affairs, marketing, and pet health programs. (rss.com)

Why it matters: Dental Month is still one of the clearest annual opportunities for practices to drive preventive care, fill procedure schedules, and re-engage pet parents on oral health. That matters because dental disease remains common and often underrecognized; AVMA says many dogs and cats show evidence of periodontal disease by age 3, while AAHA’s dental care guidelines frame oral health as a whole-practice responsibility rather than a once-a-year campaign. For veterinary professionals, the practical takeaway is that client education, team training, and consistent standards around exams, imaging, anesthesia, and follow-up home care can turn a promotional month into year-round dentistry compliance. (avma.org)

What to watch: Expect more practices and industry partners to position dental campaigns less as a February discount event and more as a gateway to ongoing preventive oral healthcare, supported by guideline-based care and stronger pet parent education. (aaha.org)