What is a Board Certified Veterinary Dentist?

A Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (DAVDC) is a veterinarian who has been certified by AVDC as having demonstrated specialist knowledge and expertise in veterinary dentistry as a result of completing the AVDC training requirements and having successfully passed the AVDC examination. Our doctors at AZ Veterinary Dental Specialists, Dr. Visser, Dr. Brigden and Dr. Coffman are all Board Certified Veterinary Dental Specialists.

Specialty board certification requires completing 3 to 6 years of training in the area of specialization beyond the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. All board-certified doctors must pass advanced credential requirements approved by the AVMA. In addition to comprehensive training in the area of expertise, a veterinarian must submit credentials of expertise to a review board in the specialty college and may be required to publish original scientific articles. Following acceptance of the credentials, an extensive written and practical examination must be successfully completed before being acknowledged as a specialist. When these requirements have been met, the applicant veterinarian is then designated as a “Board Certified Specialist” or “Diplomate” of the respective specialty college. Veterinary dentistry specialty candidates who complete this process can then use the well earned titles, Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College, Board Certified Veterinary Dentist, Veterinary Dentist and Veterinary Dental Specialist.

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 ( AVMA). Today the emergence of veterinary specialties is comparable to those in human medicine (e.g., cardiologists, radiologists, surgeons, internists, dentists). Dentistry is one of twenty specialties currently recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Dr. Coffman and Dr. Visser are also qualified as Fellows of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry (FAVD). Additionally, Dr. Visser is board certified by the European Veterinary Dental College. The Academy of Veterinary Dentistry is an international organization of veterinarians with a special interest in the dental care of animals. Most of the members are active practitioners, serving the oral health needs of their patients.