The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) was founded in the 1990s to develop a review and endorsement system for veterinary dental products.1
Consisting of nine veterinary dentists and dental scientists, the council defines standardised protocols for product efficacy testing.1,2
About VOHC procedures3
Study criteria
- A minimum of two separate trials are required for each product tested
- Trials must differ in at least 2 of the following criteria: population of test animals; location of trial; date and principle of trial; investigator or scorer
- Population of test animals should be similar between the two trials with regard to size, head shape and age
- Subjects must be fed an approved control diet during the trial
- A clean mouth model should be used, whereby teeth are scaled and polished on day zero of the trial
- Minimum trial period is 7 days for a plaque claim and 21 days for a tartar claim
Efficacy criteria
- 15% reduction in plaque or calculus score between the test and negative control groups in each trial
- 20% reduction for chemical plaque control
- Average ≥20% reduction across the two trials
- Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in each trial
Benefits of the VOHC
Adds to the body of knowledge in the field of plaque and calculus control in dogs and cats
Ensures valid research with standardised protocols and statistically significant benefits vs negative control
What does VOHC acceptance mean for dental care products?
If a product meets the VOHC’s standards for plaque and/or calculus reduction, it can be awarded the VOHC seal of acceptance.3 This means veterinary professionals can be assured of the product’s effectiveness and feel confident recommending it to their clients.
Having no VOHC seal does not necessarily mean a product is no good, but it does mean that veterinary professionals will have to dig into the literature (if it exists) to determine the value of the product.
