Pets in animal shelters have a new ally in their search for homes: veterinary dentists.

Thanks to the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry‘s “Make Me Smile Shelter Project,” shelter veterinarians and veterinary technicians nationwide will be receiving specialized training and equipment to help make sure homeless pets have dental exams and dental cleanings before they meet their new families.

“Animals with periodontal disease are extremely difficult to place for adoption,” says Foundation Chair Dr. Jamie Anderson, a veterinarian and member trustee. “Animals with healthy mouths are more appealing because their breath is sweeter, and because they’re healthier and feel better.”

The non-profit group is donating time, resources, equipment and expertise to train shelter veterinarians across the country with the goal of making the animals more adoptable.  In the Bay Area, board-certified veterinary dentists and trustees will be equipping the Contra Costa County Animal Shelter with dental equipment and training their veterinary teams to rid resident pets of periodontal disease.

The press is invited to see the veterinary dentists in action on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, at 1 PM at the shelter, which is located at 4800 Imhoff Place in Martinez.

“We invite the community to meet these wonderful pets in the shelter on Friday, December 5, too,” said Make Me Smile Shelter Project Chair Barry L. Rathfon, DVM. “They’ll be seeing the difference dental cleanings can make in a pet’s life, and then making the biggest difference of all by adopting one of their own.”