What is a Board-certified Veterinary Dentist™?

Veterinary dentistry is one of more than 20 veterinary medicine specialties (e.g., cardiology, radiology, surgery, internal medicine, oncology, ophthalmology, dermatology and dentistry) available for your pet’s care. The American Veterinary Dental College® (AVDC®) is the clinical specialist organization for veterinary dentistry. The AVDC® is recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). 

The title Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist™ also known as Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College® (AVDC®) is used for a veterinarian who has been certified by AVDC® as having specialist knowledge and procedural expertise in veterinary dentistry with the completion of additional specialty training. To be eligible for the 3-year veterinary dentistry residency training program the veterinarian must first have completed veterinary school (a 4-year program after college) and then completed either a one-year internship or several years of experience working as a veterinarian. The veterinary dentistry residency program is a specialty training program under the guidance and mentorship of a Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist. Once the requirements of this training program have been completed and the veterinarian has passed the AVDC® specialty examination, he/she is awarded the title of Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist™ also referred to as Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College® (AVDC®).  

For more information on veterinary specialists, go to the ABVS page on the AVMA web site.