A step forward in tackling canine periodontal disease – it all starts at home

At Waltham Petcare Science Institute, we’re leading vital research into how the oral microbiome influences gum disease and overall health in cats and dogs. One of our goals is to translate this research into practical applications for veterinary professionals and pet owners.

Our previous investigations have confirmed that the oral microbiome holds information that could help support early periodontal disease detection, and that use of molecular screening protocols may improve earlier detection and aid diagnosis from an oral sample. ^1,2 Building on this evidence, our latest research, published in The Veterinary Journal in March, has demonstrated how our previously described simple, cost-effective, molecular-based veterinary screening tool ^1,2 could also be used by dog owners to screen for early-stage periodontitis in their own homes. ³

The study, ‘Development of an in-home screening tool for canine periodontitis’, aimed to develop and validate an in-home screening tool that detects early-stage canine periodontitis based on the identification of microbial biomarkers specifically associated with canine periodontal disease from a single dental plaque sample. Several key factors were considered to ensure such a screening tool is practical and effective, including the need for it to be inexpensive, easy to use, stable, and reliable with a high level of accuracy.

A closer look at the research

The study was comprised of four parts, each assessing a different aspect of an in-home screening tool:

1. The best swab for collecting a dental plaque sample from dogs
2. The optimum plaque stabilization method to ensure the bacterial profile of samples is preserved during transport
3. The impact of environmental and storage factors (including time since feeding and temperature) on sample integrity
4. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay performance when samples are collected by owners in a real-world, in-home setting.

For the final stage, the owners of 127 dogs were supplied with a kit and instructions to collect plaque samples in their own homes. Using a CytoSoft™ cytology brush, samples were obtained 7–14 days before a prescribed, pre-planned dental procedure under general anesthesia at a VCA Animal Hospital before being sent to the lab for testing. The samples were analyzed using qPCR assays to detect bacterial biomarkers associated specifically with canine periodontitis.

Comparison of the qPCR results with the known clinical health states of the dogs, as determined by an in-depth clinical examination by a veterinarian, revealed the accuracy of predicting periodontal disease to be 80.9%, the specificity (proportion of true negative results) to be 80.0%, and the sensitivity (proportion of true positive results) to be 80.9%. This indicates reliable detection of periodontitis from owner-collected samples. And what’s more, feedback revealed 86.6% of owners found the kit easy to use, and 85.8% would recommend it to other pet owners.

What do these findings mean in the real world?

Periodontal disease is estimated to affect more than 80% of dogs over the age of three years.⁴ But it can manifest as early as one year of age. If not addressed, this chronic and progressive condition can result in tooth loss, pain, difficulty eating, and entry of bacteria into the bloodstream, which could affect the heart, kidneys, liver, and other organs. However, if detected and treated early, canine periodontal disease can be effectively managed. Despite this, reported diagnosis rates in primary veterinary practice are less than 20%^5–7, partly due to the absence of obvious early clinical signs.

With all this in mind, the ability to identify canine periodontitis in-home, before clinical signs are evident, could significantly improve overall oral health outcomes for dogs. Early and accessible screening could help improve owner awareness of gum disease and encourage them to seek their veterinarian’s advice, potentially resulting in faster interventions and better long-term oral health outcomes – especially in general practice settings with limited time for oral exams. Whilst this isn’t a replacement for a professional diagnosis, we see the potential of a screening tool as complementary, helping to prioritize cases requiring veterinary dental intervention and thereby potentially reducing the need for anesthetic-based dental examinations.

As the researchers conclude in their paper: "This screening tool is therefore a viable proposition for improving detection of periodontitis in client-owned dogs. It provides an opportunity to enhance proactive management, ultimately improving oral health, and thereby animal welfare, in dogs."

The findings of this study move us closer to fulfilling our purpose of building A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.

1. Ruparell A, et al. Developing diagnostic tools for canine periodontitis: combing molecular techniques and machine learning models. BMC Vet Res. 2023;19(1):163.
2. Wallis CV, et al. Real-world diagnostic potential of bacterial biomarkers of canine periodontitis. Front Vet Sci. 2024:11:1377119.
3. Wallis C, et al. Development of an in-home screening tool for canine periodontitis. Vet J. 2025:312:106341.
4. Kortegaard HE, et al. Periodontal disease in research beagle dogs-an epidemiological study. J Small Anim Pract. 2008;49:610–616.
5. Lund EM, et al. Health status and population characteristics of dogs and cats examined at private veterinary practices in the United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1999;214(9):1336-41.
6. Neill DG, et al. Prevalence of disorders recorded in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. PLoS One. 2014;9(3):e90501.
7. Wallis C, et al. Association of periodontal disease with breed size, breed, weight, and age in pure-bred client-owned dogs in the United States. Vet J. 2021:275:105717.