Veterinary technicians who wish to specialize in the area of dentistry may apply for admission to the The Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians.
The academy was granted provisional recognition by NAVTA’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties in November 2002 and is one of the oldest. According to the academy’s Web site, a vet tech receiving dentistry credentials “will open up their career opportunities exponentially. Opportunities for speaking engagements, teaching opportunities, and publishing will be available. Overall, this program is arduous at times, but highly attainable for the motivated veterinary technician who wants to further their career in veterinary dentistry.”
Benchmarks:
- Must be a credentialed vet tech with 6000 hours of experience (3000 related to dental practice)
- Must have a current CV or resume and a copy of current state certification
- Applicants must secure a mentor (a member of the AVDT or a Diplomat of the AVDC) for help during the credentialing process
- Applicants are strongly advised to be a member of NAVTA and the American Veterinary Dental Society
- Once an applicant has been accepted, they can begin the official credentialing process
- Write 5 case logs relevant to animal dentistry that to be published in peer reviews
- Candidates must complete an additional 41 hours of continuing education in various areas of animal dentistryspecified by the AVDT
- Upon completion of the credentialing process (approx. 2 years), the candidate can sit for the three-part exam
- The annual exam will test written, clinical, and practical methodologies related to core dentistry practices
For more information regarding the vet tech specialty in dentistry, visit the academy web site: Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians.