Rural scholarship program offers work experience, funding

Aust Vet J Vol 81, No 7, July 2003 373

News

Pet Dental Health Week proved so successful last year that in2003 the health promotion has been expanded throughoutthe month of August, allowing practitioners more time to

focus on the importance of oral health in pets. The theme for Pet Dental Health Month 2003 is “Looking afteryour pet’s teeth is as easy as 1, 2, 3”. Dr Tony Caiafa, theconvenor, says: “Many pet owners have found looking after theirpets’ teeth difficult, but with changing diets and a growingawareness of the importance of pet dental health things areimproving. We are focusing this year’s theme on furthereducating pet owners about the ease of dental diseaseprevention.”Pet Dental Health Month is organised by the AustralianVeterinary Dental Society with the support of the AustralianSmall Animal Veterinary Association and the AVA. It issponsored by Hill’s Science Diet and Pfizer Animal Health.Participating practices are encouraged to offer free dental check-ups during August. While there’s no obligation, feedback frompractices that have offered free checks in previous years has beenvery positive and they have proved to be an excellent practicebuilder. Dental kits from Hill’s Pet Nutrition are available forpractices taking part in Pet Dental Health Month. This year thekits include:• Posters for waiting and consulting room walls,• Badges for practice staff to wear• Balloons (fill them with helium for use in waiting rooms)• Table tents for reception desks• A colouring page, allowing practices to run a colouring

competition to involve clients’ children in pet dentalawareness. A master copy can be photocopied and handed out

• Brochures to educate clients on the importance of pet dentalcare.

In its media campaign, AVDS in conjunction with ASAVA isrecommending an easy three-point plan to pet owners. It advisesthem to:• Visit the vet regularly to have teeth and gums checked. This

can be done annually, incorporated with the pet’s annualvaccination

• Start an oral care routine for their pets. Steps may includebrushing their teeth or using medications that kill plaquebacteria. This should commence as soon as clients purchase apuppy or kitten, since starting at a young age allows a pet toget used to having its teeth and gums examined and treated

• Offer their pet a “dental-friendly” diet to prevent gum disease.There are foods available that aid in the removal of plaque andtartar. These diets offer another option in preventing gumdisease.

More than 1100 practices across Australia participated in PetDental Health Week in 2002 and as many practices as possibleare encouraged to participate in Pet Dental Health Month nextmonth.For more information phone Dr Tony Caiafa on (03) 9537 2787or 0418-591 526, or email him at petdentiste@aol.com. Otheradvice is available from www.petdental.com.au or Hill’s Helplineon 1800 679 932.

August is Pet Dental Health Month

Practices taking part in Pet Dental Health Month receive a kitincluding posters, badges, balloons and brochures.

As announced in last year’s Budget,the Commonwealth Governmentwill fund five rural veterinary

scholarships a year for the next four yearsstarting next January, each worth $25,000.The purpose of the Rural VeterinaryBonded Scholarship Program is to bolsterAustralia’s rural veterinary presence.Administered by the AustralianQuarantine and Inspection Service, itprovides final year veterinary sciencestudents with the opportunity to combinepaid employment in their field of studywith their tertiary commitments.Successful applicants will undertake aneleven-month work experience programcoordinated by AQIS after the final year ofstudy of their Bachelor of VeterinaryScience degree. While participants will be

employed and fully funded by AQIS on atemporary contract basis for the durationof the work experience, they will be placedwithin private rural practices.AQIS is drawing on the assistance of theAVA in developing the framework for thework experience program and AVAmembers from rural or regional-basedpractices are encouraged to offer a workplacement for scholarship holders. Practitioners will be invited to register theirinterest in hosting a work placement viapress advertisements in late July-August.AQIS is finalising the criteria for selectionof practices for placement of scholarshipholders. Placements will commence inJanuary 2004. Further details can beobtained by emailingvetscholarships@aqis.gov.au.

Rural scholarship program offers work experience, funding Two members recognised inQueens’ Birthday Honours

Two AVA members – Dr MarilynMcKenzie and Dr Ian Parsonson -were honoured in the recent

Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Victorian veterinarian Dr Ian Parsonsonwas named a Member of the Order ofAustralia (AM), his citation reading: “Forservice to veterinary science throughresearch, administration and manage-ment, particularly in the fields of infectiousdiseases, safety and ethics in genetechnology, and the development oflaboratory safety guidelines.”NSW veterinarian Dr Marilyn McKenziewas awarded the Medal of the Order ofAustralia (OAM) in the 2003 List. DrMcKenzie’s citation read: “For service toveterinary science, particularly throughcommitment to the maintenance ofstandards in the profession.”