What is AVDC ?

The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) is the clinical specialist organization for veterinary dentists, registered by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties of the American Veterinary Medical Association. For more information on veterinary specialists, click Specialists to go to the AVMA web site.

The Diplomates of the AVDC provide specialist dental care for patients. If you are a pet-owner seeking advice on a dental or oral problem, click Pet Owner's Page for additional information.

A brief history of the AVDC is available.

A primary objective of AVDC is to provide support of training programs for veterinarians who wish to become certified as Dipolmates in the College. Detailed information on these processes is available by clicking Veterinarians.

In addition to expert care of individual patients provided by Diplomates, the AVDC plays a major role in prevention of oral disease by sponsoring the Veterinary Oral Health Council, which awards a Seal of Acceptance to products that meet pre-set standards of effectiveness in dental plaque and calculus control.

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Dental Diseases in Animals

Oral and dental diseases unfortunately are very common in companion and performance animals.

In fact, periodontal disease (gum disease) is the most common clinical condition in companion animals. It causes bad breath, oral pain, behavioral changes such as reduced appetite, and may affect distant organs such as the kidneys, liver and heart. For more information about periodontal disease in companion animals, click VOHC.

In addition to periodontal disease, many other abnormalities can affect the mouth and teeth. Has your pet had its mouth examined recently? If not, check with your veterinarian, who will refer yoy to a Diplomate of the AVDC when necessary.

Good oral health is an important component of good general health for your pet!

The AVDC was established in 1988 by an organizing committee of 8 veterinarians who were recognized as experts in veterinary dentistry in clinical care, research, publications or in professional education. The eight veterinarians were: Gary Beard, Ben Colmery, Keith Grove, Colin Harvey, Sandy Manfra, Tom Mulligan, Don Ross, Chuck Williams.

Provisional accreditation as a veterinary specialty college was granted in 1988 by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties following review of a detailed application indicating the need for a veterinary dental specialty.

The first examination for new members was held in 1989. Full recognition as an approved specialty was granted in 1995, and the College has grown rapidly.

The AVDC is unusual among ABVS-approved colleges in that the discipline largely developed as a result of interest and expertise developed by veterinarians in small animal practice, rather than as a result of being nurtured in veterinary schools. Human dentists have made significant contributions to the development of veterinary dentistry, and collaboration between the two professions is on-going.

The first AVDC-approved full-time residency training program was established in 1989. Applicants to the College now consist of a mixture of veterinarians who are undergoing full-time residency training programs and those who are developing the required knowledge and experience in an alternate pathway part-time program from practice.