Veterinary Medical Center
Dentistry and Oral Surgical Care Expands
The future UC Davis Veterinary Medical Center aims to lead the way in innovation and discovery and apply that knowledge to cutting-edge compassionate care. That goal is coming to life with the creation of a new Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service (DOSS) suite. Expected to open by late 2023, the suite will allow faculty to maximize their expertise and interest, and make patient care more personal and accessible.
Fine Tuning the Specialty
With the recent additions of Drs. Stephanie Goldschmidt and Maria Soltero-Rivera—along with Service Chief Dr. Boaz Arzi—DOSS has increased its expertise and expanded possible treatment options. While all three faculty will continue to cover many aspects of the clinic, the advancement, research, and leadership of certain disease/injury areas are now being divided into three sub-specialties. Arzi will lead temporomandibular joint/trauma and reconstructive surgeries; Goldschmidt will focus on surgical oncology aspects of the service; and Soltero-Rivera will concentrate on oral medicine, such as the group’s breakthroughs in stomatitis care.
“With the recent start of our monthly Stomatitis Clinic and the imminent opening of this new space, it’s an exciting time to be part of this team,” said Soltero-Rivera. “I look forward to what this means for the advancement of our specialty areas.”
DOSS is already considered highly specialized—performing unique procedures not found at most other teaching hospitals—but the increased space will allow the team to be even more sub-specialized in their disciplines.
“UC Davis has always been considered a leader in dentistry and oral/maxillofacial surgeries,” said Arzi. “That began with Dr. Frank Verstraete’s pioneering work and vision for this service, and its ongoing success is dependent upon us advancing that foundation. This new space will allow us to continue spearheading the field and further advance those sub-specialties, ultimately leading to increased levels of patient care beyond its current status.”
Advantages of New Space
With three independent dental care/oral surgery preparatory spaces, the suite will also allow for more private clinical care. Each area will resemble a human dentistry/oral surgery suite where personalized care is performed independently of other patients or administrative functions. Currently, being in one open space limits the ability to perform a routine recheck or receiving appointment while an oral surgery is taking place on another patient. Additionally, a separate administrative area will be incorporated into the suite.
“Physical separation of administrative duties and patient care is extremely limited in our current space,” said Arzi. “I’m looking forward to a relaxed setting to meet with clients, which is important when discussing critical aspects of a pet’s care.”
The new suite, designed to be 150% larger than the current DOSS space, will also improve faculty and staff welfare and well-being. The current space, with its combined patient care and workspace areas, restricts the use of drinking water and other personal care items. That separate administrative area will be available for dedicated breaks or brief respites between patients.
Improved Resident and Student Training
A residency with DOSS has always been considered one of the premier advanced training opportunities in the country. Additionally, UC Davis DVM students are exposed to more dentistry and oral medicine/surgery cases than at any other veterinary school. Arzi, Goldschmidt, and Soltero-Rivera all completed their residencies at different universities, bringing three different training modules to their faculty responsibilities.
“Combining our three backgrounds brings a diverse and well-rounded education and training to our students and residents,” said Goldschmidt. “Those future veterinarians and specialists will experience more patient care opportunities with this new suite.”
To learn more about the VMC, please contact our Advancement team at 530-752-7024.