AZ Veterinary Dental Specialists

10/22/2026

Worried your senior pet may be too old for anesthesia? 🐶🏥

Dr. Montebello explains why age alone does not automatically make anesthesia unsafe.

A specialist team will evaluate your pet's whole health - not just their age- to determine whether or not anesthesia is safe... along with lots of other considerations that Dr. Montebello details in this quick video.

For senior pets, the goal is always thoughtful, individualized care based on their overall health, not their age alone.

10/20/2026

Our team is always looking for opportunities to advance veterinary dentistry through education and collaboration!

And to that end, we were very well-represented at the 2026 Veterinary Dental Forum in Orlando! Two of our esteemed team members participated in sessions: Carrie Winckler and Dr. Michael Balke.

Carrie Winckler, VTS (Dentistry), and recipient of the 2026 AVMA Unsung Hero Award, shared her expertise in dental radiography 🩻, while Michael Balke, DVM, DAVDC, F-OMFS, assisted in a hands-on surgical lab. 🔬

And if things couldn't get any better, we also had several members of our Dental Squad in attendance, connecting with colleagues, expanding their knowledge, and bringing new insights back to our various practices.

We're so proud of our team and their commitment to advancing veterinary dental care for all pets in Arizona!

10/19/2026

If we could put it into words, we’d say, "Thank you for helping us feel more comfortable, for making the stressful moments feel a little safer, and for helping us get back to the things we love, like treats, playing ball and snuggles. We’re so lucky you were there for us when we weren't feeling our best."
🌟 Happy Vet Tech Week to some of the very best. 🌟

10/15/2026

Meet Poppy. 🐾
This sweet 6 year old Australian Cattle Dog mix came into our Scottsdale location for a cleaning and was feeling a little nervous. 😥

Sometimes a little extra comfort is exactly what a pet needs. Poppy spent some quiet time tucked in close with the vet tech assigned to care for her, Nydia, while she settled in at our office.

Moments like this matter just as much as the dental care itself. Helping pets feel safe, supported, and understood is part of taking good care of them both physically and emotionally.

We’re so glad Poppy had someone by her side when she needed a little extra comfort. 🥰
💕Shared with owner permission.

10/13/2026

Periodontal disease often starts with plaque, bacteria, and inflamed gums. 🦠 As it progresses, it can lead to bone loss, loose teeth, and discomfort. ⚡ Dr. Paulina Khananisho from our Peoria office shares the signs to watch for and the treatment options available.
👉 If you notice bad breath, red or bleeding gums, or loose teeth, give us a call for a consultation.

10/08/2026

Say hello to Stetson. 🐩 💙
He’s a 14 year old Standard Poodle with a very sweet face and an even sweeter personality.

His primary care veterinarian found a mass in his mouth during a routine exam. Because Stetson has a history of heart and airway issues, his family was understandably worried about the impact of anesthesia. Our team handles pets with complex health histories every day - which is one of the reasons to see a specialist.

Dr. Fink was able to remove the mass, and Stetson did better after surgery than his family expected. Even better, the pathology came back as a peripheral odontogenic fibroma, which is a benign oral tumor that develops from the tissues around the teeth.

At this time, Stetson does not need any additional treatment. 🦷

His story is a good reminder that not every oral mass is cancerous, pets with complex health histories can undergo anesthesia safely, and getting something unusual checked can bring important answers and peace of mind.

10/07/2026

10/06/2026

Meet Catrina. 🐱 That cute face comes with an important dental story. Catrina was experiencing trauma from a misaligned bite, which meant some of her teeth were hitting her gum tissue and causing irritation.

Dr. Balke treated the affected teeth with odontoplasty and bonding - a process to make the tooth smoother and less sharp and then protecting the teeth so they were less likely to keep causing trauma.

Catrina’s story is a good reminder that dental problems don't always result from age. Even very young pets can have bite abnormalities that cause real daily discomfort.

If you notice an unusual bite, pain/discomfort, or anything that does not look quite right in your pet’s mouth, talk to your veterinarian or a veterinary dentist. 🦷

09/30/2026

Join us for an upcoming RACE-approved CE event with Dr. Kevin Malott as he presents "Complex Oral Surgery: Digging yourself (and roots!) out of a hole during difficult oral surgeries."

We can't wait to welcome veterinary professionals from Tucson and the surrounding areas for a practical, case-based discussion on complex oral surgeries. Join us along with your veterinary colleagues over brunch on:
🍳 Brunch!
📅 Sun Oct 18 at 11:00 AM
📍 Union Public House in Tucson

We can't wait to see you there!