Does my pet need a Dental Specialist?
Should your pet’s dental or oral condition be complex, unresponsive to interventions on the general practice level, or require specialized treatment/equipment unavailable at your family vet, a consult with a specialized veterinary dentist is typically recommended. Working in collaboration with your primary care veterinarian, a dental specialist can help give your pet the best chance of a full and lasting recovery.
What is a Veterinary Dental Specialist?
While most primary care veterinarians perform general dental examinations, teeth cleaning, and tooth extractions, a veterinary dental specialist is a veterinarian that has completed advanced residency training with targeted education and experience within the field of animal dentistry and oral surgery. In the United States, veterinary dentists who have completed all reviews and exams set forth by the American Veterinary Dental College earn the status of Board Certified Veterinary Dentist™ or Board Certified Equine Veterinary Dentist™. These doctors are often depicted with “DAVDC” after their name.
Pet dental specialists have the skills, knowledge, experience, and resources to tackle complex, acute, and chronic conditions of the teeth, gums, and jaw. They are the oral surgeons, endodontists, orthodontists, and periodontists of the veterinary world!