Zookeepers go wild with dental check ups

Check following Post from Dentistry.co.uk :

Zookeepers marked National Smile Month this year by brushing up on dental duties for their inmates.

Staff at Dudley Zoological Gardens got involved in the campaign by staging a massive check up of the animals' teeth.

Chief executive Peter Suddock says: ‘Regular check-ups are important. If an animal is grumpy the first areas to be checked are the gums and teeth, as they are often the cause.

‘Several of the more manageable species in the collection, such as the hoofed animals and primates have monthly check-ups, including our heavyweight Patagonian sealion, Orrie, (405 kilos) whose teeth are not only checked, but also cleaned, as part of his veterinary care.'

Other species receiving a hands-on dental check this week include reindeer, tapir, babirusa and alpaca, while close-up inspections are in order for chimps, lemurs, orang- utans and crocodiles.

With the vast majority of the UK population now expecting to remain dentate for life, the latest Smile Month campaign has captured the essence of what the dental profession needs to focus upon.

‘Teeth4Life' is the tagline for this year's campaign, a month-long focus highlighting the importance to patients of maintaining their oral health, organised annually by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) for 35 years now. The campaign is running until 16 June and will encourage the dental team to promote practices, and for patients to maintain regular dental visits.

The National Dental Helpline (0845 063 1188) receives thousands of calls every year for advice on preventive care and general oral health issues. Visit www.dentalhealth.org.