Pet Dental Care Drives Repeat Vet Visits and Retention

Pet Dental Care Drives Repeat Vet Visits and Retention

Veterinary practices are seeing a decline in visits as economic pressures push pet owners to reduce appointment frequency ⁽¹⁾. While many practices offset this with higher prices, education is another valuable path to bring existing clients back consistently. Preventive dental care is one of the most underleveraged ways to create recurring, medically necessary touchpoints that increase visit frequency.

The Overlooked Role of Pet Dental Care

Many pet parents still underestimate the importance of pet dental care and believe that it begins and ends with professional pet dental cleanings. They don’t know that up to 80–90% of dogs over age three and nearly all adult cats show signs of periodontal disease ^(2,3) that contributes to chronic pain and systemic health issues affecting the heart, kidneys, and immune system.⁽⁴⁾

How can Dental Visits Increase Appointment Volume?

Positioning dental care as a core part of preventive health gives pet owners clear, ongoing reasons to return for care, creating a steady routine that supports both pet health and practice stability. Regular dental visits often uncover other health needs, improve follow-through on care recommendations, and build trust between veterinarians and pet parents. For pet owners, routine dental care also helps prevent emergencies and reduce long-term costs.⁽²⁾

Use technology to shift the conversation from “procedures” to prevention

At-home care and dental checkups should be positioned not as an add-on, but as a shared responsibility between the practice and the pet parent - one that extends pet’s life, protects them from pain and minimizes unexpected costs for pet owners.⁽⁵⁾

TIP: Key messages that resonate with pet parents

• Avoiding systemic health issues: Maintaining good dental health helps support overall health and longevity.
• Better quality of life: Healthy mouths mean less pain, better appetite, and more energy.
• Prevention saves money: Treating advanced dental disease can cost several times more than daily home care and regular checkups.
• Consistency beats perfection: Small, regular efforts make a meaningful difference.

How Practices Can Lead the Change

Veterinary teams are uniquely positioned to normalize dental home care, but it requires consistency, simplicity, and communication tools.

In Summary

Positioning dental care as a pillar of preventive health shifts it from an occasional procedure to a client engagement strategy. With automated communication and streamlined workflows, dental visits drive repeat appointments, better compliance, and loyalty. The result is improved pet health and sustainable practice growth driven by retention rather than price increases alone.