The AVDT does not condone, endorse, or recommend that veterinary technicians credentialed or not, diagnose, prescribe medication, or perform dental extractions. Extraction of teeth is oral surgery and should be performed by a licensed veterinarian, per the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) 2019 Dental Guidelines. These position statements supersede state practice acts that allow for veterinary technicians to perform extractions.

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A Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Dentistry is a credentialed technician with a special interest in dentistry and oral surgery. VTS (Dentistry) technicians have extensive knowledge and training in dentistry, including assisting the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in exodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, and periodontics. Technicians are not licensed to perform these advanced procedures.

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A veterinary technician's duties during a dental procedure include and are limited to intraoral radiographs and other imaging procedures, oral examination and charting, performing dental cleaning procedures (sub-gingival and supra-gingival), polishing tooth surfaces. Other duties can consist of closed root-planing, performing nerve blocks, and assisting a licensed veterinarian with these dental procedures. Diagnosing dental disease, prescribing treatment options and medications, and performing extractions is the veterinarian's duty. Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians with these duties, thereby ensuring the patient receives the most thorough and efficient dental care.
Applicants, candidates, and members of AVDT found to be diagnosing, prescribing medication, or performing oral surgery (including extractions and other advanced procedures) will be dismissed or disassociated. The VTS (Dentistry) title will be revoked permanently. If a candidate or applicant is dismissed, they will not be allowed to reapply.

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Updated 11/30/2021