I mean, who in Grade 5 goes to a career fair and returns saying “I want to be a veterinary dentist when I grow up?”
However, a percentage of veterinary students do decide to carry on with their studies and take on this speciality.
Becoming a veterinary dentist
After four years of college, students go on to four more years of medical school to get those DVM initials after their last name. It’s after that they can complete a formal training program (3-6 years) in veterinary dentistry under the direct supervision of a Diplomate Residency Director. Before they can call themselves a veterinary dental specialist, they must complete all American Veterinary Dental College training requirements and pass the AVDC examination.
What they do
While regular veterinarians do provide both preventative and dental treatment for animals, veterinary dentists take it a few steps further.
Veterinary dentistry involves the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the teeth and associated structures. These practices require extensive knowledge of anatomy, radiology, pharmacology, physiology, pathology, anesthesiology, neurology, and surgery.
Board Certified veterinary dentists take care of issues like malocclusions, temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) problems, jaw fractures, oral cancer, periodontal disease, stomatitis, and much more.
An innovative product to help keep your dog’s mouth healthy
Helping your pet avoid some of the above issues is Petosan. The company develops, manufactures and markets quality dental products for use both in the veterinary clinic as well as by the dog owner at home.
One of their biggest breakthroughs is the Silentpower—a battery powered, double-headed, sonic toothbrush that kicks out 20,000 bristle movements per minute and is highly effective at removing plaque.
With its two brush heads, the sonic toothbrush hugs the teeth, powering through soft tarter both on the outside and the inside of the teeth at the same time. The Petosan double-headed toothbrush simplifies brushing your pet´s teeth and helps your pet have a healthier mouth.
The double-headed toothbrush comes in four sizes:
- Large dogs of 16+ kgs
- Medium-sized dogs between 7 and 15 kgs
- Small dogs from 3-6 kgs
- toy dogs up to 3 kg.
Petosan’s innovative products are used and recommended by veterinarians all over the world and for good reason!
