AZ Veterinary Dental Specialists

10/09/2025

We couldn’t be prouder of Dr. Michael Balke! 💙

At this year’s Veterinary Dental Forum, Dr. Balke was recognized as a Fellow in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (F-OMFS), an incredible distinction held by only about 30 practicing veterinarians in the world.

It was an emotional moment as he received his pin and certificate from his longtime mentor, Dr. Sandra Manfra. The look on his face says it all - gratitude, pride, and genuine appreciation for the people who helped him get here.

All of us at AVDS are so proud to see his hard work and dedication to veterinary dentistry pay off and be recognized in such a meaningful way.

Congratulations, Dr. Balke. We couldn't be more proud of you. 👏

10/09/2025

📣 Join us for a collaborative CE event you won’t want to miss!
👉 2 Hours of RACE-Approved CE Credit

Oral tumors are among the most challenging conditions veterinarians face in dogs and cats. This 2-hour RACE-approved CE will walk you through biopsy techniques, staging, prognosis, and client communication—plus how to decide when surgery, radiation, or a combined approach offers the best outcome.

Through real case presentations, Dr. Michael Balke (Dentistry & Oral Surgery) and Dr. Eric Boshoven (Radiation Oncology) will share their complementary perspectives to help you deliver the highest quality of care and improve quality of life for your patients.

📅 Monday, October 21 | 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 Spinato’s Pizzeria, Phoenix
🍽️ Dinner included | Space is limited

👉 Register now: [email protected]

10/01/2025

You and your dog are the best of buddies—playing tug of war, chasing balls, and sharing all the fun. 🎾

But if he suddenly stops picking up toys or playing like he used to, it could be more than just a change in his mood. Dental and other oral problems can turn playtime from joyful and fun to painful experiences. ⚡️

If your dog doesn’t seem like himself, be sure to check in with your vet. Regular dental care and a healthy mouth keeps those tails wagging and toys flying! 🦮

10/01/2025

10/01/2025

Our Tucson office phones are down! If we have your pet someone from our office will contact you if needed.

09/24/2025

Eisa came to us when she was barely 4 months old. Another dog had bitten her, which resulted in several broken bones/fractures in her upper jaw. Dr. Balke put surgical plates on both sides to help her heal.

Because she was so young, we knew that there might be complications when her adult teeth started to come in. As Eisa got older, her jaw changed due to the earlier injury, and unsurprisingly, some problems developed, like teeth that weren't growing properly and one tooth that was pushing into her palate causing her pain and discomfort.

To fix this, Dr. Balke was able to perform vital pulp therapy when she was 8 months old and take out the teeth that hadn't fully erupted yet so that Eisa's mouth could stay healthy and comfortable for the rest of her life.

Today, she's healthy, happy, and full of personality. 💙

09/18/2025

Say hello to Dr. Jennifer Montebello 👋

She’s a Board Certified Veterinary Dentist™ who loves taking on challenging cases - and the best part for her is seeing the transformation when a pet goes from quietly living with pain ⚡️ to bouncing around with the energy of a puppy or kitten again.

When she’s not caring for patients, Dr. Montebello is outdoors hiking or camping 🏕️ with her husband, Ash, and their two dogs Carly and Beau🦮🐕‍🦺. In addition to her dogs, she is also a proud pet parent to her cats Kia and Flower. 🐈🐈‍⬛

We’re lucky to have Dr. Montebello on the AVDS team, bringing both skill and heart to every patient she meets. ✨

09/16/2025

🔔 Next week Dr. Fink and Dr. Balke will be teaching at the Veterinary Dental Forum in San Antonio, Texas, sharing their expertise to help veterinarians nationwide elevate the standard of dental care they provide to their own patients.

This temporary closure will partially impact our Scottsdale and Gilbert locations. Our Peoria and Tucson locations will remain open the entire week and will be ready to help if your pet needs care during this time.

Thank you for your understanding as we continue advancing veterinary dentistry for pets everywhere.

09/09/2025

A couple of weeks ago, our Scottsdale team took part in hands-on anesthesia training with Dr. Lukasik, a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist.
These educational sessions give us the chance to sharpen our skills, ask questions, and learn directly from a specialist so we can keep every patient as safe and comfortable as possible during their dental procedure.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to keep growing together as a team—and for the pets who inspire us to keep learning.

09/05/2025

We see this more often than you’d think—dental disease in small dogs can lead to jaw fractures.

Small dogs have jaws that are tiny but their teeth are often just as big as those in larger dogs. When dental disease causes abscesses or bone loss, those little jaws can get weak fast, and that’s when fractures occur.

The good news is, with early cleanings and some simple at-home care, a lot of these problems can be prevented. ✨

🦷 Starting dental care young makes a big difference. It keeps their mouths healthier, their smiles stronger, and helps avoid painful issues down the road.

We're here to give your little ones the kind of specialized care they need to stay comfortable and happy for years to come. 💙

09/03/2025

📣 2 Hour CE Brunch - Register Today! 🥼

Join us in Peoria, AZ on Sunday, September 7th for a complimentary brunch and two hours of RACE-approved CE with Dr. Paulina Khananisho and Dr. Jennie Ha.

From mastering dental radiography to valuable tips and common pitfalls in canine and feline extractions, you’ll leave with new skills, fresh confidence, and takeaways you can apply right away in your own practice.

📅 Sunday, September 7th
📍 Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant – Peoria, AZ
🍽 Brunch included
💵 Free to attend — RSVP by Sept. 3 to save your spot!
2️⃣ Hours RACE-Approved CE
👉 bit.ly/AVDS-CE-20250907

09/01/2025

Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

Our offices will be closed on Monday in observance of the holiday. If your pet requires immediate care, please visit your nearest emergency veterinary clinic. 🚨

Wishing you and your pets a safe and relaxing holiday weekend!