VENICE, FL. (April 15,
2004) – Ten years after its inception,
the
American
Society
of
Veterinary Dental
Technicians
(ASVDT)
is recognized by
veterinarians and technicians both nationally
and across the globe
as a leading
provider of veterinary dental knowledge to the entire veterinary community.
In 1994 a dedicated group of veterinary dentists
and
technicians
saw a great need for an organization that would emphasize the key role that technicians
and other staff members play in the dental portion of a practice.
I
t
was
essential
to provide those out in
the field with educational materials
to increase their dental knowledge and skills since
little
dental
training was given at veterinary and
technician
schools
. Therefore, in 1995,
Dr.
Jan Bellows, a board certified veterinary dentist and ASVDT founding board member,
created the ASVDT First Level Qualifying Examination home study course. Since
then, more than 5,800 technicians and 400 veterinarians
from
all fifty states as well as
Australia,
New Zealand, UK, France, Germany, Norway, Finland, Japan, Mexico and Hong Kong
have
taken the course.
VETERINARIANS PRAISE ASVDT
“I’ve
found the course to be very helpful in getting my staff ‘up-to-speed’ on the recognition
and treatment of periodontal disease,” said
Dr.
Laura M. Le Van, a board certified veterinary dentist in Acton, Mass. “I like the
fact the course covers oral pathology so my staff can converse intelligently with
referring veterinarians and clients when they call for
appointments.”
Dr. Jacob W. Haffner of
Waite
Park, MN., requires his entire staff to take the ASVDT exam.
“Over the past two years
all veterinarians and Petnurses in my hospital have to take the course,” Haffner
said. “The ASVDT course has provided a solid foundation of dental anatomy, physiology,
dental prophylaxis and basic oral pathology.”
ASVDT’s mission
is
to convince veterinarians they must
in
tegrate
dentistry
into
the
mainstream of their practices to complete their patient’s
total
health program, satisfy their clients and dra
matically
increase professional revenues. The proper
training
and
motivation of their staff is key to attaining that goal
Dr.
John Koehm of Community Animal Hospital in Reno, Nevada, articulates how the society
has accomplished its mission.
“For many
years my primary goal has been to elevate the
quality
of dental care offered to clients,” Koehm said. “By increasing the staff's dental
knowledge, they are better trained to assist in dental procedures. Educated staff
members are invaluable liaisons with clients and can intelligently discuss and promote
dental care after taking the ASVDT course.
“The course has also gotten our staff excited
about dentistry and there is no better promoter of dentistry than an enthusiastic
one.”
With unprecedented acceptance in the field
during its first 10 years, the ASVDT looks forward to continued success in its mission
to educate and motivate all members of the veterinary profession in the importance
of veterinary dentistry.
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