Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians
Application Packet – Class of 2017
November 15, 2014
Welcome,
Thank you for your interest in applying to become an Academy of Veterinary Dental
Technicians (AVDT) certified veterinary dental technician. Upon completion of the credentialing
process and successfully passing the examination, you will obtain the title of Veterinary
Technician Specialist (Dentistry) – VTS (Dentistry). This National Association of Veterinary
Technicians in America (NAVTA) recognized title provides you with a sense of pride and
accomplishment. You will become part of an elite group of veterinary technicians. NAVTA
recognizes only ten other specialties: emergency/critical care, anesthesia, internal medicine,
behavior, zoo medicine, equine nursing, surgery, nutrition, clinical pathology and clinical
practice nursing. The VTS (Dentistry) title also qualifies you to become a member of the
AVDT. Upon receipt of your letter of intent, application fee of $75, and corresponding
documentation, a credentials packet will be emailed to you by January 31, 2015. In order to be
considered for the qualifying examination, all work must be submitted by January 31, 2017.
Attached are the general requirements needed to complete the credentialing process. You must
use the CURRENT application and credentials packets as changes have been made. More
detailed information will be included in the credentials packet. The application fee covers the
cost of your credentials packet and administrative charges. Yearly administrative fees of $75 are
due upon notification. Upon completion of your two-year mentorship program, an additional $75
fee will be collected to cover the cost of the credentials packet review. The first examination was
administered in June 2006. The examination fee was $500. The cost of future exams will be
determined on a yearly basis.
To keep abreast of changes in the world of veterinary dentistry, we strongly encourage you to
become a member of the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS, P.O. Box 803,
Fayetteville, TN 37334. Phone: (800) 332-AVDS or (931) 438-0238. Fax: (931) 433-6289.
Email: avds@avds-online.org). Yearly membership in this society includes a subscription to the
Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, the official journal of the Academy of Veterinary Dental
Technicians and other associations.
Thank you, again, for your interest in becoming a VTS (Dentistry). Congratulations on your
desire to advance in your career as a veterinary technician.
Annie Mills
Annie Mills, LVT, VTS (Dentistry)
President, AVDT
Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians Application Packet 2009
Revised 11/8/2014
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Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians
Application Packet – Class of 2017
Introduction
The Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians (AVDT) thanks you for your interest in
becoming a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Dentistry. The AVDT's goal in certifying
veterinary technician specialists is to assure the veterinary profession and the public that AVDT
certified technicians possess the knowledge and experience needed to work effectively in a wellequipped and staffed dental care facility or in private practice. The requirements for eligibility
are rigorous. They are not designed to be obstacles to prevent applicants from becoming
certified, but are intended to assure the public and profession that technicians certified by the
AVDT are truly qualified.
General Requirements
The applicant must be a graduate of an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program or
credentialed to practice as a veterinary technician. Applicants must provide written proof that
they are legally credentialed to practice in a state or province, or that they have graduated from
an AVMA approved school of veterinary technology. The applicant must be of high ethical and
professional standing (AVDT By-laws, Section 2B (d) Qualifications, Active Members), and it is
strongly recommended the applicant be a member in good standing of NAVTA.
Prior to submitting an application packet, the potential applicant must meet training requirements
as specified: 6000 hours (3 years) of work experience in the field of veterinary medicine as
a credentialed and/or graduate veterinary technician with 1000 of these hours in the
practice of veterinary dentistry within two years prior to application. Upon acceptance into
the two year AVDT mentorship program, the applicant must commit to a minimum of 4000
hours practicing veterinary technology with 3000 of these hours spent in veterinary dentistry.
An individual could qualify as an applicant if they hold an active credential as a Registered
Dental Hygienist (RDH) in human dentistry from an American Dental Association approved
program and hold an active veterinary technician credential. All above Veterinary Technician
applicant requirements must be met, however, only 2500 hours of veterinary dentistry is required
during the two year AVDT mentorship program.
Registration with the AVDT and applicable fees are required of all applicants during their full
training period. Any changes to name, address, phone or email must be submitted in writing to
the AVDT Secretary and Credentials Chair within one month of its occurrence.
All applicants must establish a VTS (Dentistry) mentor. Mentors can be anyone that has become
credentialed as a VTS (Dentistry) by the AVDT (See Appendix 1). No other veterinarians,
veterinary technicians or people in human dentistry are eligible to serve as an AVDT mentor.
Applicants are required to provide the mentor with an outline detailing how they intend to
accomplish the training program. The mentor must then approve this outline. Once the training
methods are agreed upon, the applicant must sign and submit the proposal to the AVDT Board of
Directors for further approval (see Form 3, Applicant/Mentor Contract).
Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians Application Packet 2009
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Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians
Application Packet – Class of 2017
Case Logs
Completed Case Logs with a minimum of 50 specific dentistry cases are required. All cases must
be seen during the two-year mentorship program. Candidates must submit at least 50 cases that
meet the AVDT definition of dental care. However, if only 50 cases are submitted, a single
unacceptable case could result in your packet being rejected. The case logs are used to
confirm your dental experience and your mastery of advanced dental skills.
Case Reports
Five Case Reports are required. The case reports must be typed (double spaced) and not more
than five pages in length. Cases for your reports must appear in your case log. Select five various
cases from your log that will demonstrate your expertise in dentistry nursing skills. The case
reports should describe in detail, how the patient was diagnosed and treated. The case report
must also be used to demonstrate how you used your knowledge and experience to assist the
veterinarian in diagnosing and treating the patient.
Specialty Training/Continuing Education
The candidate must successfully complete wet lab training and attend lectures in advanced
dentistry procedures in addition to meeting the general requirements. Twenty-five hours of wet
lab training and 15 hours of advanced dentistry lectures are required. Participation and
attendance at wet labs and lectures must be completed during the two-year mentorship program.
Teaching or assisting in a lecture or wet lab cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
Dental Radiography Requirement
The candidate must provide a complete set of intra-oral dental radiographs of a dog and a cat.
The radiographic requirement can be fulfilled as follows: full-mouth series and must include all
adult dentition and all roots. Skull radiographs are unacceptable. Cadaver radiographs are
acceptable provided that an intact cadaver, with an endotracheal tube in place, was radiographed,
and that the candidate and mentor certify that the whole cadaver was used. Radiographs should
be mounted and labeled appropriately, identifying client, patient, date, animal age and breed.
Digital radiographs are acceptable and encouraged.
Extensions
A maximum of two extensions may be granted to each applicant for any unforeseen reasons
(medical issues, death in the family, etc.) with approval from the Credentials Committee.
However, any case logs, case reports and continuing education requirements acquired during the
first year of the mentorship program will be null and void since these must be obtained during
the two years prior to packet submission. A formal written request for an extension must be
submitted to the credentials chair.
Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians Application Packet 2009
Revised 11/8/2014
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Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians
Application Packet – Class of 2017
Timeline and Guidelines
November 2014
 Obtain application packet from AVDT website
November – December 31, 2014
 Complete Letter of Intent (Form 1)
 Complete Employment History (Form 2)
 Update CV or Resume
 Contract with Veterinary Dental Mentor (Form 3)
 Create outline of plan for training program completion
 Obtain copy of diploma or veterinary technician credential
 Application must be postmarked before December 31, 2012 to be considered
December 31, 2014
 All above information due
 Include check for $75 written to AVDT (application fee)
 Send via traceable mail to: Tammi Smith, CVT, VTS (D), AVDT Credentials
Chair, 1532 SW Leisure Lane, Port St. Lucie, FL. 34953
January 31, 2015 (All applications will be processed after January 1, 2015)
 Credentials packet emailed by February 1, 2015 if all of the above is accepted and
complete
January 201 – January 2017
 Complete requirements for credentialing
 Meet with mentor as outlined on contract
 Meet all review deadlines as defined on applicant-mentor contract (form 3)
January 2016
 Administrative fee of $75 due upon notification
January 31, 2017
 Credentials packet due
 Include check for $75 written to AVDT (credential fee)
 Send to: current Credentials Chair (see above)
June 2017

Veterinary technician specialist (Dentistry) exam
Questions:
Tammi Smith, CVT, VTS (Dentistry), AVDT Credentials Chair at
marktammi33@hotmail.com or Marlea Kobylarek, LVT, VTS (Dentistry), AVDT Secretary at
marlea.koby@gmail.com. Please put ‘AVDT’ in subject line when emailing.
Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians Application Packet 2009
Revised 11/8/2014
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Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians
Application Packet – Class of 2017
Form 1
Letter of Intent
I, __________________________________ do hereby notify the Board of Directors of the
Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians of my intention to begin the credentialing process to
become a Veterinary Technician Specialist (Dentistry). I will begin my required training and
documentation (mentorship program) on _______________________. I intend to fulfill all of
the requirements by __________________. I have read and agree to the general requirements
for application. I have contracted with a veterinary dental mentor. I certify that I have practiced
at least 6000 hours (3 years) as a graduate/credentialed veterinary technician with 1000 of these
hours spent in the past two years in veterinary dentistry.
Signed,
Signature
Date
Print Name
*Do you wish to have your personal contact information shared with other AVDT applicants? Yes
No
ENCLOSE:
$75 Application Fee
Employment History (Form 2)
Candidate – Mentor Contract (Form 3)
Training Program Outline
Current CV or Resume
Copy of diploma or veterinary technician credential (and RDH credential, if applicable)
SEND TO:
Tammi Smith, VTS (Dentistry)
AVDT Credentials Chair
1532 SW Leisure Lane, Port St. Lucie, FL. 34953
Office Use Only:
Application: Date Received: __________ Fee _____ Employment History _____
Candidate-Mentor Contract _____ CV/Resume _____ Credentials _____
Credentials Packet Sent (Date) __________
Dropped for Nonpayment of Dues: y or n
Letters: First Year Letter __________ 18 month Letter __________
Credentials Packet Submitted:
Packet Anonymous ID# __________ Credentials Packet Received __________
Corrections Needed __________ Corrections Received __________
Name of Reviewer _______________________________ Letter of Acceptance/Denial ______
Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians Application Packet 2009
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Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians
Application Packet – Class of 2017
Form 2
Personal Information
Name___________________________________________________________________
(Last)
(First)
(Middle Initial)
Address_________________________________________________________________
Phone Home (______) _______-_____________ Work (______) _____-_______________
E-mail address ________________________________________________________
(Please Print Clearly – this is our primary means of contacting you.)
Present Occupation_________________________ Credentials: CVT/ LVT/ RVT (circle) Other:
Have you graduated from an AVMA approved school of veterinary technology?
Yes (
) No ( )
School name ______________________________________Year____________
Are you currently credentialed to legally practice as a veterinary technician?
Yes ( ) No (
) If yes, date first issued____________
Are you currently credentialed to legally practice as a dental hygienist?
Yes (
) No ( ) If yes, date first issued ____________
Estimate, as accurately as possible, how many hours you have spent practicing veterinary
technology as a credentialed/graduate veterinary technician: ________ hours. (6000 minimum)
Estimate, as accurately as possible, how many hours you have spent practicing veterinary
dentistry as a credentialed/graduate veterinary technician in the last two years:
___________ hours (1000 minimum)
List your employment history as a credentialed/graduate veterinary technician.
Type of
Average
Average
practice
Name of
number of
number of
(general
Starting datePractice/
hours
hours spent
surgical,
Ending date
Institution
worked per
in the dental
dental,
week
department
emergency,
etc.)
Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians Application Packet 2009
Revised 11/8/2014
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Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians
Application Packet – Class of 2017
Form 3
Applicant/Mentor Contract
I, ____________________________________, do hereby contract with
_____________________________________ to be my veterinary dental mentor.
I will provide my mentor with an outline detailing how I intend to accomplish my training
program. My mentor must then approve this outline. Once the training methods are agreed
upon, my mentor must sign this proposal and I will submit it to the AVDT Board of Directors for
further approval. We will be in contact ________times per year via phone, email, letter, fax,
and/or in person to review my progress. (AVDT recommends contact being made at least four
times per year.) I will submit at least one half of my case logs and case reports to my mentor by
January 15, 2016 for review. The remainder of my credentials packet will be submitted for
review by my mentor by August 15, 2017
Applicant:
Mentor:
(Signature)
(Signature)
(Printed Name)
(Printed Name)
Mentor Contact Information:
Address
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone
Email Address
(Please Print Clearly – this is our
primary means of contacting you.)
Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians Application Packet 2009
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Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians
Application Packet – Class of 2017
Appendix 1
Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians:
(Members not eligible to take on mentees are not listed. AVDT rules allow only three mentees
per member at any given time.)
Last Name
First Name
Home State
Email
Altier
Benita
WA
Cooper
Janyce
VA
Crawford
Jennifer
MI
Davis
Lisa
OR
Dominguez
Patricia
NY
Drake
Neetza
OR
Edwards
Amy
GA
Griffith
Kari
WA
Heintz
Chad
CA
Hoerner
Candice
MT
Kobylarek
Marlea
MI
Losey
Billie Jean
NC
March
Patricia
MD
Mendenwaldt
Jill
WI
Mills
Annie
FL
Paul
Susanne
TX
Pearce
Amanda
GA
Perrone
Jeanne
FL
Polonsky
Kim
CO
Rollings
Denise
FL
Vearil
Kelly
OH
White
Renae
OR
Yaroslav
Jan
CA
benita.cherry@hotmail.com
kaylaa72lvt@aol.com
jencrawford720@gmail.com
ldavis@coho.net
toothtech24@gmail.com
sareetkrska@yahoo.com
avk.edwards@gmail.com
fannyjane2006@yahoo.com
c.heintz@yaoo.com
icandi1980@hotmail.com
marlea.koby@gmail.com
jeannie_losey@ncsu.edu
march8669@yahoo.com
jjecevicus@gmail.com
annielvt@hotmail.com
susrvt@yahoo.com
apierce@uga.edu
jrvitoux@yahoo.com
kimpcvt@hotmail.com
denroll@yahoo.com
vearilka@gmail.com
renaew15@gmail.com
janyaroslav@gmail.com
Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians Application Packet 2009
Revised 11/8/2014
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