Advanced training. Specialized expertise. Better outcomes.
When your veterinarian recommends a referral to a Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist, they are referring your pet to a veterinarian who has completed years of additional training dedicated exclusively to veterinary dentistry and oral surgery.
Board certification is recognized as the highest level of specialty training in veterinary dentistry and reflects a commitment to advanced education, clinical excellence, and lifelong learning.
What does it take to become a Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist?
After earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, candidates complete several years of advanced specialty training through an approved residency program. During this time, they gain extensive experience diagnosing and treating a wide variety of complex dental and oral conditions while working under the mentorship of experienced specialists.
In addition to advanced clinical training, candidates must complete rigorous case requirements, contribute to the scientific literature, and successfully pass comprehensive board examinations administered by the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC).
Only after successfully completing this process may a veterinarian use the title Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (DAVDC).
What does this mean for your pet?
Board certification means your pet is being cared for by a veterinarian whose practice is dedicated exclusively to dentistry and oral surgery.
This includes expertise in:
- Complex oral surgery
- Root canal therapy and tooth preservation
- Advanced periodontal treatment
- Diagnosis and treatment of oral tumours
- Management of malocclusions and traumatic bites
- Treatment of chronic oral inflammatory diseases
- Advanced dental imaging and treatment planning
- Pain management and anesthesia for dental patients
Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual patient with the goal of relieving pain, restoring function, and improving quality of life.
Working together with your family veterinarian
Board-certified specialists are an extension of your pet’s healthcare team—not a replacement for your family veterinarian.
Your veterinarian knows your pet’s overall health and medical history. Our role is to provide advanced dental expertise while working collaboratively with your veterinarian throughout diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Once specialty treatment has been completed, your pet returns to your family veterinarian for ongoing care.
This partnership allows your pet to benefit from both specialized dental expertise and the trusted relationship you have with your primary veterinarian.
A commitment to lifelong learning
Veterinary medicine continues to evolve, and so does veterinary dentistry.
Maintaining board certification requires an ongoing commitment to continuing education and staying current with advances in research, techniques, and technology. This dedication ensures that patients continue to benefit from evidence-based treatment and the highest standards of specialty care.
More than advanced procedures
While advanced training provides the skills to perform complex procedures, board certification is about much more than technical expertise. It represents a commitment to thoughtful clinical decision-making, collaboration, and compassionate patient care.
For Dr. Morris, the goal has always been simple: to combine advanced training with individualized, evidence-based care that helps pets live healthier, more comfortable lives.
Being entrusted with your pet’s care is a privilege that she never takes for granted.
Give your pet the advantage of Board-Certified dental care
Board certification ensures your pet receives advanced oral surgical and endodontic care from a dedicated specialist working alongside your primary veterinarian. Whether you are seeking specialty care for your companion or referring a complex case, we are here to provide exceptional, evidence-based treatment.