Henry Schein Celebrates National Pet Dental Health Month

MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein Animal Health, the leading companion animal health distributor in the United States, and the U.S. animal health business of Henry Schein, Inc. HSIC, joins the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) in celebration of National Pet Dental Health Month to help raise awareness about the importance of good oral hygiene for pets and its positive effect on overall health.

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"Periodontal disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets. Most adult cats and dogs have periodontal disease, fractured teeth, or other, often treatable, oral disease that could be causing pain and infection," said Dr. Kris Bannon, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC and President of the American Veterinary Dental Society. "With regular veterinary exams, pet owners can ensure their pet's total health is looked after, including its oral health."

 By following "Three Simple Steps to Dental Care," suggested by the AVDS, pet owners can help enhance the quality of life for their pets.

3 Simple Steps to Pet Dental Care (According to the AVDS)

1. Take your pet to get a dental exam. Your pet should have a routine veterinary examination, including a careful examination of its teeth and gums, at least once a year.
2. Start an at-home regimen. Ask your veterinarian to suggest nutritional supplements and a regular tooth brushing schedule or a specially formulated food proven to help remove plaque and tartar from your pet's teeth.
3. Schedule dental cleanings. When your pet needs his or her teeth cleaned, this will require general anesthesia and dental radiographs (x-rays). In most cases, this can be performed safely and will provide the best treatment to maintain your pet's oral health.

"As a leader in partnering with the veterinary community to help protect pet health, we know that the veterinarian is the best source of information and resources to help ensure the wellness and quality of life for our pets. February serves as a great reminder that our pets' dental health affects the rest of their bodies, and we encourage pet owners to take their pets to the veterinarian for regular dental exams," said Francis Dirksmeier, President, Henry Schein Animal Health, North America.

About American Veterinary Dental Society

The American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) was founded in 1976 for the purpose of creating a forum for advancing the knowledge, education, and awareness of veterinary dentistry among veterinarians, students, and the public. Boasting a truly international membership, the AVDS is the largest organization of veterinary dental professionals in the world with more than 1,000 active members.

Membership in the AVDS is open to veterinarians, dentists, hygienists, and veterinary technicians. The benefits of membership in the AVDS include the quarterly Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, advance notice of veterinary dental meetings and much more.

If you would like to become a member of the AVDS, click here for more information.

About Henry Schein Animal Health, U.S.

Henry Schein Animal Health, based in Dublin, Ohio, is the leading companion animal health distribution company in the United States, and the U.S animal health business of Henry Schein, Inc. HSIC.  The Company employs approximately 900 team members, including 300 field sales representatives and 200 telesales and customer support representatives.  With 12 strategically located, state-of-the-art distribution facilities and 10 inside sales centers, the Company maintains a greater than a 99 percent order-fill ratio, accomplishing its mission of providing the right product at the right place and at the right time.

Henry Schein Animal Health partners with more than 480 global suppliers to bring veterinarians the broadest selection of products to companion animal, equine and large animal practices including dentistry, diagnostics, diets, equipment and supplies, nutraceuticals, oncology, orthopedics, parasiticides and pharmaceuticals.  In addition, the Company helps veterinarians grow their practice with its strategic Business Solutions including AVImark® and ImproMed® Practice Management Software, CHOICE Diagnostics, Henry Schein® Axis-Q, Henry Schein® Financial Services,  Henry Schein® ProRepair®, Henry Schein® Rapport, MyVetDirect.com® Home Delivery, Practice Partners (HRVetResource, Intelligent Inventory®, Leadership Intelligence, Employee Resource Manual and OSHA Compliance), Privacy Edge Identity Theft Protection, Professional Development Program, SmartPak™ ColicCare™, VetPressOnline Client Communications, and Veterinary Instrumentation™.  For more information, visit www.henryscheinvet.com.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, Inc. is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners.  The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites.  A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index, Henry Schein employs more than 17,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than 800,000 customers. The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care. 

Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 96,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 110,000 additional products available as special-order items. The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 28 countries.  The Company's sales reached a record $9.6 billion in 2013, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 16 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.  For more information, visit the Henry Schein website at www.henryschein.com.

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SOURCE Henry Schein, Inc.