5 Questions for a VTS Dentistry Specialist

The Veterinary Technician Specialty: The Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians is a group of men and women dedicated to advancing dentistry knowledge in clinics as well as instructing veterinary staff members at various conferences worldwide.

The Specialist: Stefanie Perry, CVT, VTS (Dentistry) is president of the Arizona Veterinary Technician Association. She is also the Website/PR Committee Chair of the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

1. What made you choose your specialty area?

As long as 15 years ago, I was performing several dental procedures every day and found myself never tiring of them. I loved the significant role that technicians play in the Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT). The workflow is driven by the technicians, and every phase of the procedure is influenced by our skill set. Ultrasonic scaling, curettage, and polishing are treatments for periodontal disease and should not be written off as only a small part of the procedure. The tissues are debrided during cleaning, which contributes to tissue healing and helps sustain periodontal health for as long as possible.

2. What is one thing you wish you could tell general practitioners regarding your specialty?

It does not take a large amount of time or financial investment to make dental services gold standard. Dentistry drives revenue for a clinic more than almost any other surgical procedure. Having a staff that is well-trained and proficient can be a huge benefit to a practice, while also being mutually beneficial for patients. The majority of dentistry consists of professional services, which creates greater profit. If 85% or more of our patients have periodontal disease, there is virtually no limit to the number of patients we can help or the goals we can reach within a practice.

3. What is one thing that would make your job more satisfying?

I would love to see more pet owners become invested in their pets’ dental health. In client communication, technicians spend a great deal of time trying to convey the value of dental services relative to their cost. It would be life changing for clients to understand the parallels between pet dental pain and human dental pain, and to see how similar the disease processes truly are.

4. What is the most rewarding part of being a dental specialist?

In dentistry, we see patients who have, in some cases, been in chronic pain for years, and we are able to impact their lives in an immediate way by addressing their periodontal disease. Many pets leave the practice feeling better even before their extraction sites have healed. Simply removing the teeth that are the root of the problem can provide life-changing relief within days or weeks of surgery. Despite having such high levels of chronic pain, dogs and cats rarely show obvious clinical signs, and it feels meaningful to be part of improving their quality of life.

5. What advice would you give to someone considering your specialty?

Achieving a VTS is a commitment to excellence, and in preparation for such a significant undertaking, it is important to cultivate a mindset of organization and prioritization. Because a VTS is modeled after diplomate requirements, we are expected to become subject-matter experts with limited assistance. Mentally preparing to be self-directed and persevering through the requirements is absolutely worth it. I have never professionally experienced a higher level of achievement or satisfaction.

Photo courtesy of Stefanie Perry

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