WHAT IS A "BOARD CERTIFIED" VETERINARY DENTAL SPECIALIST?

A Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) is a veterinarian who has been certified by AVDC as having demonstrated specialist knowledge and expertise in veterinary dentistry as a result of completing the AVDC training requirements and having successfully passed the AVDC examination.

Veterinary Medicine has attained a degree of sophistication that is beyond the scope of any single individual. This, together with the increasingly important role of pets in our society, has resulted in the emergence of a number of veterinary specialties comparable to those in human medicine (e.g., cardiologists, radiologists, surgeons, internists, dentists). Dentistry is one of twenty specialties currently recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Specialty certification requires completing 3 to 6 years of training in the area of specialization beyond the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Requirements vary among individual "specialty colleges", but all candidates must pass advanced credential requirements approved by the AVMA. In addition to comprehensive training in the area of expertise, a veterinarian must submit credentials of expertise to a review board in the specialty college and may be required to publish original scientific articles. Following acceptance of the credentials, an extensive written and practical examination must be successfully completed before being acknowledged as a specialist. When these requirements have been met, the applicant is then designated as a "Board Certified Specialist" or "Diplomate" of the respective specialty college. Veterinary dentistry specialty candidates who complete this process can then use the well earned titles, Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College, Board Certified Veterinary Dentist, Veterinary Dentist and Veterinary Dental Specialist.

The European Board of Veterinary Specialisation accepted the application for provisional recognition of the European Veterinary Dental College (the EVDC, the College) in April 1998 and the College held its first examinations in Ljubjlana, Slovenia, in May that year. The inaugural meeting of the EVDC was held on May 14, 1998, at which stage there were twelve members. The EVDC is a non-profit educational organization whose objectives are the advancement of veterinary dentistry, odonto-stomatology and oral surgery. Membership of the EVDC is open to suitably trained veterinarians who have appropriate general veterinary training and experience, have advanced veterinary dental training and experience, have satisfied all the College credentialing requirements, have passed the College entry examinations and following admission to the college have maintained their commitment to the specialty and have continued their training and experience in the specialty. Actively practising members of the College have the designation Diplomates of the European Veterinary Dental College and are registered as such with the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation who awards them the title of European Veterinary Specialist in Dentistry.

What does a Veterinary Dental Specialist do?

Board certified veterinary dental specialists are trained to evaluate genetic as well as acquired problems. Advanced diagnostics, including dental radiology and laboratory evaluations, allow proper diagnosis of the oral health and any medical problem prior to treatment planning. Since the veterinary dental specialist is trained in surgery, medicine and dentistry, a wide range of special treatment options can be implemented.

Obviously dog, cat and other animal patients with oral health problems will require general anesthesia for evaluation and treatment. The veterinary dental specialist has been trained in the safe and effective use of anesthesia and also in pain management.

How does a veterinary dental specialist work with your family veterinarian?

Your family veterinarian and his or her support staff are likely well versed in dental diseases and can provide the maintenance care your pets need, but in the event they diagnose a disorder that might benefit from advanced dental procedures, they may offer the option of referral. We prefer to work closely with them, discuss their findings on the phone, and receive copies of your pet's records communicating any existing medical conditions and current medications along with any recent diagnostic tests or x-rays. All this information will help us provide a seamless transition into our practice and allow us to tailor treatment specific for your pet. Once our part of the examination or procedure is complete, we will communicate back to your family veterinarian what was done either verbally or via a letter with copies of any and all pertinent information to allow them to continue the maintenance from that point on.