Families Advised, “Don’t Give Dental Care the Brush-off” at PVM Family Program Series

Brittany Rhodes pictured holding a tiny skull for an attendee to see
Diagnostic Imaging Technician Brittany Rhodes shows a model of a tiny bat skull to a young PVM Family Program Series attendee.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine hosted its final Family Program Series interactive session of the semester on March 7 with the topic “Don’t Give Dental Care the Brush-off”. Liane Shaw, RVT, diagnostic imaging instructional technologist in the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, led the exciting evening focusing on dental hygiene for pets. Liane emphasized the importance of understanding why pets should receive dental care like humans do, and how pets’ teeth are cared for. Attendees were able to talk about the differences in the teeth of various animal species and learned how they could help care for their pet’s teeth at home.

The event offered opportunities for children to gain hands-on learning experiences related to dental hygiene for both humans and animals. Children were able to look at large models of human teeth and practice brushing techniques and take a look at teeth in animal skull models.  For example, canine teeth models helped the children gain a better understanding of dental hygiene for dogs and compare a healthy canine dental model to an unhealthy model. The young people in attendance also learned about dental care through an activity in which they each were able to glue marshmallows onto a hand puppet made from a bag to replicate teeth on an animal face.  Each student left with a toothbrush for themselves, the book “Donkeys Need Dentists, Too”, and a dental chew for their dog.

The PVM Family Program Series is designed for families with young children who are interested in learning more about the veterinary profession. The program offers sessions in both spring and fall and is set to resume this coming October. Click here for more information on the PVM Family Program Series.

Writer(s): Amanda McCormick, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Today we extend appreciation for Kyle Moffitt who is a Senior IT Technician in PVMIT.

Purdue Veterinary Hospital Participates in One-Day National Effort to Preserve Sight of Service Dogs

The Purdue University Veterinary Hospital’s Ophthalmology Service came to the aid of canines dedicated to lives of service recently during a special day set aside for checking the eye health of service dogs. On May 12, the Ophthalmology Service participated in the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO)/Epicur National Service Animal Eye Exam event by providing free eye exams for qualified service dogs.

Sophie’s Comeback: Purdue Veterinary Specialists Help a Lame Dog Walk Again

A series of articles about animals and their owners who’ve found help and healing at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital continues today as we share Sophie’s story. This story begins two years ago when an Easter morning emergency resulted in Sophie being brought to the hospital where veterinarians in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Service gave the paralyzed dog a second chance to walk.

Summer Break Signals Start of Summer Research for Purdue Veterinary Scholars

A feast of classic Indiana picnic food marked the traditional kick-off for the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Scholars Summer Research Program. The annual program provides an opportunity for Purdue veterinary students as well as undergraduate students from Purdue and other universities to experience what it is like to conduct clinical and basic science research as they work with a faculty mentor to carry out a summer research project.