Bridging Veterinary and Dental Health: Veterinarians' Perspectives on the Oral Health Implications of Zoonotic Diseases

Abstract

Aim:
The aim of the present study was to evaluate veterinarians' awareness of zoonotic pathogens, their understanding of possible oral health implications, and their views on incorporating oral health considerations into zoonotic disease education and prevention strategies.

Methods:
The cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Government Veterinary Hospital, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan from 31 May 2026 to 2 June 2026. The included population was practicing veterinarians including clinical professionals, academic veterinarians and researchers.

Results:
More than half of the respondents (52.4%) were above 50 years of age, indicating that the study population was predominantly composed of senior veterinary professionals. Among 63 respondents, rabies virus was the most commonly encountered zoonotic pathogen (57.1%), followed by Salmonella spp. and fungal pathogens (47.6% each). Overall, 80.9% of respondents considered the impact of zoonotic diseases to be high or very high, highlighting widespread recognition of their significant public health and societal implications. Among the 63 respondents, 46.0% rated their knowledge regarding oral manifestations of zoonotic diseases as average, while 42.9% considered their knowledge good.

Conclusion:
The present study highlighted that veterinarians possess a strong understanding of zoonotic diseases and recognize their substantial impact on human health and society. Most participants demonstrated awareness of key preventive measures, including pet vaccination, hand hygiene, regular veterinary care, and maintenance of pet oral hygiene, reflecting their important role in zoonotic disease prevention and public health promotion.