What does a veterinary dentist do?

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What is a Veterinary Dentist?

Veterinary dentists are highly trained and specialized veterinarians dedicated to the oral health and dental care of animals. These professionals possess advanced knowledge and skills in diagnosing, treating, and preventing dental diseases and abnormalities in a variety of species, including pets, livestock, and exotic animals. Their expertise is vital to an animal’s overall health and welfare.

What does a Veterinary Dentist do?

A veterinary dentist examining a dog's teeth.

Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities and tasks of the veterinary dentist include:

  • Dental Examinations – conducting thorough dental examinations to assess the overall oral health of animals, including checking for signs of periodontal disease, oral tumors, malocclusions, and other dental abnormalities
  • Diagnosis – utilizing diagnostic tools such as X-rays, dental radiography, and other imaging techniques to diagnose dental conditions accurately; this may involve identifying issues like dental fractures, abscesses, or abnormalities in tooth development
  • Treatment Planning – developing comprehensive treatment plans for addressing identified dental problems; this can include recommending dental cleanings, extractions, root canals, orthodontic procedures, and specialized dental surgeries
  • Dental Procedures – performing a range of dental procedures and surgeries to address specific dental issues; conducting extractions, fillings, root canals, and other corrective treatments to alleviate pain and improve an animal's oral health
  • Preventive Care / Client Communication and Education – advising pet owners on preventive dental care practices, such as regular tooth brushing, dental diets, and appropriate chew toys; educating clients on the importance of oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups in preventing the development of common dental problems
  • Collaboration with Other Specialists – collaborating with other veterinary specialists, such as internal medicine or surgery specialists, to address overall health issues that may impact an animal's dental well-being; this interdisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive care for the patient.
  • Research and Continuing Education – engaging in ongoing research to contribute to advancements in the field of veterinary dentistry; participating in continuing education to stay abreast of the latest developments, technologies, and treatment modalities
  • Administrative Tasks – managing administrative duties such as updating patient records, billing, and other paperwork

Types of Veterinary Dentists
Now that we have a sense of the potential scope of the veterinary dentist’s work, let’s look at some different types of veterinary dentists, based on their professional focus:

  • Small Animal Dental Specialist – These veterinary dentists focus primarily on the dental care of domestic pets, such as dogs and cats. They address common dental issues like periodontal disease, tooth decay, and malocclusions in these companion animals.
  • Equine Dental Specialist – Veterinarians who specialize in equine dentistry focus on the dental health of horses. This includes addressing issues like dental malocclusions, oral diseases, and performing routine dental care, such as floating (filing) teeth.
  • Exotic Animal Dental Specialist – Some veterinary dentists specialize in the dental care of exotic animals, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals. This specialization requires knowledge of the unique dental anatomy and oral health considerations for various exotic species.
  • Large Animal Dental Specialist – While equine dentistry is a significant component, large animal dental specialists may also work with other farm animals, such as cows, sheep, and goats. They address dental issues that can affect the overall health and productivity of these animals.
  • Mixed Animal Dental Practitioner – Some veterinary dentists work in mixed animal practices, where they provide dental care for a variety of species, both small and large. These practitioners may address dental issues in domestic pets, farm animals, and occasionally exotic species.
  • Dental Surgeon – In addition to general dental care, some veterinary dentists may specialize in surgical procedures related to the oral and maxillofacial regions. This could include advanced surgeries like jaw fracture repairs, oral tumor removals, or orthognathic procedures.

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What is the workplace of a Veterinary Dentist like?

Veterinary dentists can work for various organizations and institutions that provide veterinary care. These are among their most common employers:

  • Private Veterinary Practices – Many veterinary dentists operate private veterinary practices, either as general practitioners with a focus on dentistry or as specialists within the practice. These practices may serve companion animals, farm animals, or a combination of species.
  • Specialty Veterinary Clinics – Some veterinary dentists work in specialty clinics that focus exclusively on dental care. These clinics may handle cases referred by general practitioners or may operate independently, offering advanced dental services for various animal species.
  • Veterinary Hospitals – Larger veterinary hospitals, especially those associated with universities or veterinary teaching hospitals, may employ veterinary dentists to provide specialized care, conduct research, and contribute to the education of veterinary students. In these settings, veterinary dentists typically work alongside other specialists and general practitioners, contributing to a multidisciplinary approach to animal healthcare.
  • Veterinary Schools and Colleges – Veterinary dentists often work in academic institutions, including veterinary schools and colleges. They may be involved in teaching, research, and clinical service, contributing to the education and training of future veterinarians.
  • Zoos and Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers – Veterinary dentists may find employment in zoos or wildlife rehabilitation centers, where they provide dental care for exotic and wild animals.
  • Research Institutions – Some veterinary dentists may work in research institutions or laboratories, conducting studies related to animal dentistry. Their research may contribute to advancements in dental care, treatment modalities, and preventive measures for various species.
  • Government Agencies – In some cases, veterinary dentists may work for government agencies involved in animal health, agriculture, or wildlife management. They may be responsible for overseeing dental health programs, conducting inspections to ensure compliance with regulations, and ensuring the wellbeing of animals under government care.
  • Non-profit Organizations – Veterinary dentists may work with non-profit organizations focused on animal welfare or rehabilitation. These organizations often require specialized veterinary care for the animals they rescue or protect. Vets working for these entities may be stationed in rescue centers, animal sanctuaries, or conservation facilities.
  • Industry and Corporate Positions – Some veterinary dentists may work in industry roles, such as providing expertise for companies that manufacture veterinary dental products or equipment. They may also contribute to product development and education for veterinary professionals.

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Doctor Specializations and Degrees

The following is a comprehensive list of the various specializations that a doctor can pursue and a brief summary of each specialization:

  • Allergist: An allergist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, asthma, and related conditions. Allergists have specialized training in the recognition and management of allergic reactions.
  • Anesthesiologist: An anesthesiologist keeps a patient comfortable, safe and pain-free during surgery by administering local or general anesthetic.
  • Cardiologist: A cardiologist specializes in finding, treating, and preventing diseases that affect the heart, the arteries, and the veins.
  • Cardiothoracic Surgeon: A cardiothoracic surgeon specializes in surgical procedures inside the thorax (the chest), which may involve the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. As well as performing surgery, they also diagnose and treat diseases of these organs.
  • Chiropractic Neurologist: A chiropractic neurologist is a specialized type of chiropractor who has undergone additional training in the field of neurology. They diagnose and treat conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the nervous system.
  • Chiropractor: A chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic medicine, specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous system, especially in the spine. Treatment is usually physical manipulation of the joints and the spine to bring them back into alignment. A chiropractor does not perform surgery or prescribe medication.
  • Colorectal Surgeon: A colorectal surgeon specializes in diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus, as well as the entire gastric tract. These surgeons work closely with urologists, who handle the urogenital tract in males and the urinary tract of women, gynecologists, who deal with specific female issues, and gastroenterologists, who deal with diseases of the gut.
  • Doctor: An general overview of what a doctor does and how to become one.
  • Dentist: Dentists identify potential oral health issues such as gum disease, as well as examine patients, order medical tests and determine the correct diagnosis and treatment. They also perform oral surgery and remove teeth or address other dental health problems.
  • Dermatologist: A dermatologist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions affecting skin, hair, sweat and oil glands, nails, and mucus membranes (inside the mouth, nose, and eyelids) which can include cancer.
  • Emergency Medicine Physician: An emergency medicine physician works in emergency departments, hospitals, and urgent care clinics, and is often the first medical professional that patients see when they are in need of urgent medical care.
  • Endocrinologist: An endocrinologist specializes in diagnosing conditions and diseases related to the glands and hormones. While primary care doctors know a lot about the human body, for conditions and diseases directly related to glands and hormones they will typically send a patient to an endocrinologist.
  • Family Practitioner: A family practitioner specializes in caring for the entire family. Patients can be children, adults, and the elderly, and are treated for a wide array of medical issues.
  • Forensic Pathologist: A forensic pathologist investigates the cause of sudden and unexpected deaths, and is able to determine how a person died by performing an autopsy and studying tissue and laboratory results. These doctors are often called upon to provide evidence in court regarding the cause and time of such deaths.
  • Gastroenterologist: A gastroenterologist has specific training in diagnosing and treating conditions and diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This may include diseases and disorders that affect the the biliary system (liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts), as well as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine (colon).
  • Geriatrician: A geriatrician specializes in the care of elderly patients, and often works with patients who have multiple chronic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as age-related cognitive and functional impairments.
  • Gynecologist: A gynecologist specializes in women's reproductive systems. Gynecologists are also sometimes certified as obstetricians, and will monitor the health of the mother and the fetus during a pregnancy.
  • Hematologist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders, such as anemia and leukemia.
  • Hospitalist: A hospitalist is a physician whose focus is the general medical care of hospitalized patients. Their duties include patient care, teaching, research, and leadership related to hospital medicine.
  • Immunologist: An immunologist specializes in managing problems related to the immune system, such as allergies and autoimmune diseases. A smaller number of immunologists are strictly researchers seeking to better understand how the immune system works and to help develop better ways of diagnosing and providing treatment for many immunological conditions.
  • Infectious Disease Specialist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and hepatitis.
  • Internist: An internist is a 'doctor of internal medicine' who can diagnose, treat, and practice compassionate care for adults across the spectrum, from health to complex illness. They are not to be mistaken with "interns," who are doctors in their first year of residency training.
  • Medical Examiner: Medical examiners are responsible for performing autopsies and collecting evidence related to the circumstances of a death, including medical history, physical examination findings, and toxicology tests.
  • Naturopathic Physician: A naturopathic physician blends modern scientific medical practice and knowledge with natural and traditional forms of medical treatment. The goal is to treat the underlying causes of disease while stimulating the body's own healing abilities.
  • Nephrologist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. They treat conditions such as chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, kidney stones, hypertension, and electrolyte imbalances.
  • Neurologist: A neurologist specializes in treating diseases that affect the human nervous system. It is a very prestigious and difficult medical specialty due to the complexity of the nervous system, which consists of the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves.
  • Neurosurgeon: A neurosurgeon specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system. This includes congenital anomalies, trauma, tumours, vascular disorders, infections of the brain or spine, stroke, or degenerative diseases of the spine.
  • Obstetrician: An obstetrician is a medical doctor who specializes in caring for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
  • Occupational Physician: Occupational medicine is focused on keeping individuals well at work, both mentally and physically. As workplaces become more complex, occupational physicians play an important role in advising people on how their work can affect their health.
  • Oncologist: An oncologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The three primary types of oncologists are: medical oncologists that specialize in the administration of drugs to kill cancer cells; surgical oncologists that perform surgical procedures to identify and remove cancerous tumors; and radiation oncologists that treat cancer with radiation therapy.
  • Ophthalmologist: An ophthalmologist is a specialist that deals specifically with the structure, function, diseases, and treatment of the eye. Due to the complexities and the importance of the eye as a special sense that provides vision, the discipline of ophthalmology is dedicated solely to this organ.
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: An oral and maxillofacial surgeon treats dental and medical problems involving the oral cavity and the maxillofacial area. The maxillofacial area includes the bones of the forehead, face, cheekbones and the soft tissues. Treatment often involves performing surgery and related procedures to treat diseases, defects, or injuries, and to improve function or appearance.
  • Orthopaedic Surgeon / Orthopedist: An orthopaedic surgeon (or orthopedist) examines, diagnoses, and treats diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. This system includes the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and nerves.
  • Orthodontist: An orthodontist specializes in how the jaws and teeth are aligned. They help people whose teeth are misaligned or require some kind of correction – those with an improper bite, or malocclusion.
  • Osteopath: Osteopaths have attended and graduated from an osteopathic medical school and practise the system of healthcare known as osteopathy. They consider all aspects of the patient, not just the symptoms they exhibit. They see the integrated nature of the body’s organ systems and its capacity for self-regulation and self-healing.
  • Otolaryngologist: Otolaryngologists (or ENT physicians) are specialists trained in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck. These specialists are trained in both medicine and surgery.
  • Pathologist: A pathologist studies the causes, nature, and effects of disease. The field of pathology is broad with concentrations on changes in cells, tissues, and organs that are the result of a disease.
  • Pediatrician: A pediatrician specializes in providing medical care to infants, children and teenagers by administering treatments, therapies, medications and vaccinations to treat illness, disorders or injuries.
  • Periodontist: A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in oral inflammation, and who knows how to prevent, diagnose, and treat periodontal disease.
  • Plastic Surgeon: A plastic surgeon specializes in reshaping healthy body parts for aesthetic reasons, and also in repairing or replacing body parts damaged by accidents, illness or malformation.
  • Podiatrist: A podiatrist practices podiatric medicine, which is a branch of science devoted to the diagnosis, treatment and study of medical disorders of the foot, ankle, lower leg and lower back. In the U.S. and Canada, podiatry is practiced as a specialty.
  • Prosthodontist: A prosthodontist specializes in restoring the look, function, comfort, and health of a patient's oral cavity with artificial materials. These artificial materials are made up of a wide variety of restorations that include fillings, dentures, veneers, crowns, bridges and oral implants.
  • Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists are physicians who evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who are affected by a temporary or chronic mental health problem.
  • Pulmonologist: A pulmonologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases of the chest, particularly pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, emphysema, and complicated chest infections.
  • Radiologist: A radiologist is a specialist in interpreting medical images that may be obtained with x-rays, (CT scans or radiographs), nuclear medicine (involving radioactive substances, magnetism (MRI), or ultrasound.
  • Rheumatologist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
  • Sports Medicine Physician: A sports medicine physician specializes in taking care of people who have sports injuries that may be acquired from playing sports, exercising, or from otherwise being physically active.
  • Surgeon: A surgeon performs surgery for the purpose of removing diseased tissue or organs, to repair body systems, or to replace diseased organs with transplants.
  • Telemedicine Physician: A telemedicine physician provides remote healthcare services to patients using telecommunications technology, facilitating virtual consultations, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations.
  • Urologist: A urologist specializes in the treatment of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs. Urologists can treat the kidneys, urinary bladder, urethra, uterus, and male reproductive organs. There are also specific specialty areas that urologists may choose to focus on, such as pediatric urology, male infertility, and urologic oncology.
  • Vascular Medicine Specialist - A vascular medicine specialist specializes in the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of conditions affecting the blood vessels. They may work with patients who have conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, peripheral artery disease, or pulmonary embolism.
  • Vascular Surgeon - A vascular surgeon specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of conditions affecting the blood vessels, including aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, and varicose veins.
  • Veterinary Dentist - A veterinary dentist is a specialized veterinarian who focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dental diseases and conditions in animals. They perform dental procedures such as cleanings, extractions, and oral surgeries to improve the oral health and well-being of pets and other animals.



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Doctor Allergist Anesthesiologist Cardiologist Cardiothoracic Surgeon Chiropractor Colorectal Surgeon Dentist Dermatologist Emergency Medicine Physician Endocrinologist Family Practitioner Forensic Pathologist Gastroenterologist Geriatrician Gynecologist Hematologist Hospitalist Immunologist Infectious Disease Specialist Internist Medical Examiner Naturopathic Physician Nephrologist Neurologist Neurosurgeon Obstetrician Occupational Physician Oncologist Ophthalmologist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Orthopaedic Surgeon Orthopedist Orthodontist Osteopath Otolaryngologist Pathologist Pediatrician Periodontist Plastic Surgeon Podiatrist Prosthodontist Psychiatrist Pulmonologist Radiologist Rheumatologist Sports Medicine Physician Surgeon Urologist Vascular Medicine Specialist Vascular Surgeon Chiropractic Neurologist Telemedicine Physician



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Veterinary Dentists are also known as:
Veterinary Dental Surgeon Veterinary Dental Specialist