22 Nov What Is a Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist?
When most people think about veterinary medicine, they imagine vaccines, yearly checkups, or emergency care. But one of the most overlooked parts of pet health is dental care. A board-certified veterinary dentist is a highly trained specialists who provide everything from routine cleaning and dental care to performing complex surgeries in the oral cavity and its associated bones.
What Does “Board Certified” Mean?
A board-certified veterinary dentist is a veterinarian who has completed years of advanced, specialized training in dentistry and oral surgery beyond veterinary school. They are certified by the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC), the governing body responsible for ensuring excellence in veterinary dental practice.
To earn board certification, a veterinarian must:
- Graduate from an accredited veterinary school.
- Complete a one-year internship or comparable clinical experience.
- Undertake a 3–6 year residency focused exclusively on veterinary dentistry, oral medicine, and oral/maxillofacial surgery.
- Perform and document hundreds of advanced dental and oral surgical procedures.
- Publish research or contribute to scientific literature.
- Pass a rigorous multi-day board examination that tests both knowledge and clinical skill.
Only after meeting all of these requirements can they be called a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (DAVDC).
What Does a Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist Do?
Board-certified veterinary dentists treat a wide range of conditions that affect the teeth, gums, oral cavity, and maxillofacial region. Their expertise extends beyond what general practice veterinarians typically manage.
Here are some services they commonly provide:
1. Advanced Dental Procedures
- Root canals
- Crowns
- Complicated extractions
- Treatment of oral trauma
2. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Jaw fracture repair
- Tumor removal and reconstruction
- Treatment of congenital issues, including malocclusion and cleft lips and palates
3. Periodontal Disease Management
- Advanced cleaning and periodontal therapy
- Surgical treatment of severe gum disease
- Bone grafting to repair periodontal defects
4. Advanced Imaging & Diagnostics
- High-resolution dental radiographs
- Cone beam CT (CBCT)
In many cases, they work closely with other specialists such as oncologists, surgeons, and internists to provide comprehensive care.
Why Does a Pet Need a Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist?
Your pet may be referred to a veterinary dentist when their dental or oral condition exceeds the scope of a general veterinarian’s training or if your pet is a higher-risk anesthetic patient.
You should also consider a specialist if your pet has fractured a tooth and you want to save a tooth instead of extracting it or you want a second opinion on a dental diagnosis.
Final Thoughts
Dental health plays a critical role in your pet’s comfort, quality of life, and overall well-being. A board-certified veterinary dentist brings expertise, precision, and advanced capability to the table, ensuring your pet gets the most specialized care available for their oral health.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/21/2025) Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash