AVDC Veterinary Dentistry
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ExploreAbout this exam
The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) is the body behind the "Board Certified Veterinary Dentist" designation described on its site, and the credentialing pathway it administers is aimed at veterinarians who want to be recognized as specialists in veterinary dentistry. The AVDC website organizes its resources around several audiences: Diplomates, residents, technicians, primary care practitioners, animal owners, and media. Candidates for the credential are therefore veterinarians who are already committed to dentistry as a significant part of their professional activity and who are working through the College's training, credentials, and examination processes. The published exam dates split the Phase I examination into two tracks - a small animal (SA) Phase I Exam and an equine (EQ) Phase I Exam - both listed for January 7-8, 2027, which signals that the exam content is divided between small animal and equine dentistry rather than being a single undifferentiated paper. Preparation should begin well before those dates: the AVDC posts a calendar of important dates, including the July 15, 2026 deadline for credential applications and later deadlines for annual reports and Phase-related submissions. Candidates should work from the College's own published resources and dates, confirm current requirements directly with the College, and plan study time across both the small animal and equine domains. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the AVDC.
What you'll study
About AVDC Veterinary Dentistry preparation
Who is the AVDC credential actually for?
It is for veterinarians, not technicians or animal owners. The AVDC site describes an Active Diplomate as a veterinarian who devotes a significant part of professional activity to research, teaching, or practice of veterinary dentistry and who has completed the required training, credentials, and examination processes. Plan for a multi-year commitment rather than a single sitting.
What does the Phase I exam cover?
The AVDC calendar lists two separate Phase I exams on the same dates: an SA Phase I Exam and an EQ Phase I Exam. That structure tells you the content is split between small animal and equine dentistry. Build study blocks for both domains rather than assuming one paper covers everything, and confirm the current blueprint with the College.
When are the exams and deadlines?
The AVDC Important Dates list shows credential applications due July 15, 2026, and both the SA and EQ Phase I Exams on January 7-8, 2027. It also lists a January 15 annual report deadline for residents planning to credential that year, January 31 for equine annual reports, and a March 1 Phase deadline. Verify these on the AVDC site before you plan.
How hard is it, and what trips candidates up?
The realistic failure modes are predictable: neglecting the equine domain because small animal cases dominate day-to-day practice, treating the exam as a single cram event instead of a long preparation arc, and missing administrative deadlines such as the July 15 credential application date. Spread study across both domains early, and track dates on the AVDC calendar.
What study order should I use?
Start with the domain you see least in practice, usually equine if you are a small animal clinician, so it gets the longest runway. Then cycle both domains repeatedly rather than finishing one before starting the other. Layer in the College's published position statements and resources, and reserve the final weeks for integrated review across small animal and equine material.
Are retakes allowed, and how many attempts?
The AVDC page does not state a retake policy, attempt limit, or passing score. Do not rely on secondhand figures. Contact the College directly at [email protected] or through avdc.org to confirm the current retake rules, fees, and scoring before you sit the exam, and build your plan assuming a single attempt.
How long should I plan to prepare?
The published calendar gives a natural planning window: credential applications are due July 15, 2026, and the Phase I exams follow on January 7-8, 2027. Treat that gap as your study runway rather than starting after applications close. Residents should also note the January 15 annual report deadline and the March 1 Phase deadline.
Does this page come from the AVDC?
No. This is independent study material produced by a third-party study platform. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the American Veterinary Dental College. Always confirm exam dates, deadlines, fees, and requirements against the official AVDC website, which lists [email protected] and a Providence, Rhode Island mailing address as contacts.