Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)
The Veterinary
Oral Health Council (VOHC) exists to recognize a product that meets pre-set standards
of plaque and tartar prevention in dogs and cats. Approved products are awarded the VOHC Seal of
Acceptance; following review of a scientific system to collect data from trials
conducted according to VOHC protocols. To get an in-depth understanding on how
the VOHC was established and grew into the association it is today, we will
travel back to the time to when the idea was first set in motion.
A
meeting on veterinary dental product endorsement was held 1991, which included
presentations by representatives of AAHA (American Animal Hospital
Association), ADA (American Dental Association), AVMA (American Veterinary
Medical Association and the US Food and Drug Administration - Center for
Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM). The need for a system was acknowledged, with
concerns expressed with regard to liability implications, and the need for
credibility for up and coming pet products claiming to improve dental health
for pets. The consultant panel reached a consensus to develop a product review
and acceptance system. At this meeting and another held a few years later in 1995, a protocol was agreed upon
for testing effectiveness of plaque and tartar build up in dogs. It wasn’t
until 1998 that cats were added to the protocol. The official launch of VOHC
took place during the 1997 Veterinary Dental Forum meeting in Denver. Shortly after, the VOHC testing standards were
used in Canada and then became accepted worldwide. Use of the VOHC outside
of the US developed first in Europe and Japan.
The VOHC awards their seal in two
claim categories: the first helps control plaque, and the second helps control tartar. Two trials
are conducted to ensure that the findings are honorable. Dogs or cats in both
trials are to be to be of similar body weight and age. General health is to be
assessed by a physical examination, chemistry panel, and urinalysis. The teeth
are to be scaled and polished on day zero so that the plaque and tartar scores
are zero at the start of the trail. For the duration of the trial, the dogs or
cats are to be fed a control diet, either in both the product and control
groups or in the control group if the product is a diet that meets AAFCO
nutritional standards. The minimum trial period to record the findings is seven
days for plaque and twenty-one days for tartar. Trials of longer duration are
encouraged. The requirement as of January 1st, 2011 is the minimum difference required between changes in "mouth mean
score" comparing the product group with the negative control group is 15%
reduction in the plaque or tartar score in each trial. The Seal
of Acceptance is displayed on products that have been awarded the seal. Regular
use of products carrying the VOHC Seal of Acceptance means that the products have been proven to reduce
the accumulation of plaque and/or tartar, which can lead to gingivitis,
periodontal disease and tooth loss if not treated.
There may be commercial products available without the VOHC seal that can possibly be effective to help improve oral health but you can be sure that products that have earned the VOHC seal are truly effective and can be recommended without hesitation. With the large variety of VOHC Seal of Approval dental treats, mouth rinses, water additives, tooth pastes and diets; which are available on the VOHC website, you have the tools necessary to help improve and prevent oral diseases and overall health oral hygiene.
www.vohc.com
No comments:
Post a Comment