AVDC Veterinary Dentistry study plan

AVDC Veterinary Dentistry · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Small Animal Dentistry

Map the full small animal dentistry domain into subtopics and rank them by exam weight before studying any content
Build a dental anatomy reference sheet covering tooth types, dentition formulas, and eruption timing for dogs and cats
Label a self-drawn canine and feline dental chart from memory, then correct it against a textbook
Define and contrast the key periodontal terms (plaque, calculus, gingivitis, periodontitis, attachment loss) in your own words

A one-page anatomy and periodontal terminology cheat sheet scored against a closed-book self-quiz, with errors annotated

Week 2

Explain the pathogenesis and staging of periodontal disease and match each stage to its clinical and radiographic signs
Outline professional periodontal therapy steps and the rationale for each
Compare home-care products and justify recommendations by evidence level
Describe common oral pathology presentations: resorptive lesions, malocclusion classes, and oronasal fistula

A written case-style answer set covering staging, treatment planning, and home care for three hypothetical periodontal patients

Week 3

Sequence the steps of a comprehensive oral examination and charting workflow under anesthesia
Explain dental radiography positioning, interpretation principles, and common artifacts
Describe extraction technique principles, flap design, and closure for single- and multi-rooted teeth
List anesthetic and pain-management considerations specific to dental patients

A step-by-step oral surgery and radiography procedure checklist that you can recite from memory in under ten minutes

Week 4

Review all small animal material using spaced retrieval and identify the three weakest subtopics
Work through practice-style case vignettes and justify each answer choice in writing
Teach the periodontal and extraction content aloud as if to a colleague to expose gaps

A scored 40-question self-made practice set with a written error log identifying weak subtopics

Week 5

Map the equine dentistry domain into subtopics and rank them by exam weight
Describe equine dental anatomy: hypsodont teeth, dental star, infundibulum, and the Triadan numbering system
Explain eruption and wear patterns and how to estimate age from incisor and cheek tooth findings
Define key equine terminology such as diastema, hooks, ramps, wave mouth, and step mouth

An equine dental anatomy and age-estimation reference sheet validated by a closed-book labeling quiz

Week 6

Explain the pathophysiology of equine dental disease, including diastemata, periodontal disease, and apical infection
Describe the equipment and technique for a systematic oral examination and dental floating in the standing horse
Outline sedation, analgesia, and restraint protocols used for equine dental procedures
Interpret common equine dental radiographic findings and their clinical significance

A written procedural protocol for standing equine oral examination and floating, including sedation and safety steps

Week 7

Integrate both domains by building comparison tables where small animal and equine concepts diverge
Rehearse weak subtopics from earlier error logs using active recall rather than rereading
Complete timed mixed-domain practice questions and analyze the reasoning behind each miss

A completed mixed-domain comparison table plus a timed 50-question practice score with a revised error log

Week 8

Run full-length timed mock exams under test conditions and review every incorrect answer
Consolidate high-yield facts into a final one-page-per-domain review sheet
Verify logistical readiness: exam format, timing strategy, and rest plan

Reviewed full-length mock exams, final review sheets for each domain, and a completed exam-day logistics plan.

Week 2: Score at least 80 percent on a closed-book quiz covering dental anatomy and periodontal disease

Week 4: Complete the small animal phase with a practice score of at least 75 percent and a documented list of remaining weak subtopics

Week 6: Recite equine dental anatomy, age estimation, and floating protocol from memory with no more than two substantive errors

Week 8: Achieve at least 80 percent on two full-length timed mock exams spanning both domains