Open Wide
A new elective course in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s DVM curriculum will further elevate “day one competencies” of future Iowa State DVM graduates.
The elective course is an introduction and overview of veterinary dentistry and oral surgery in small animal companion animals with a week of equine dentistry as well. It is designed to teach students entry level knowledge and application of veterinary dentistry.
“Dentistry is among the most frequent reasons that clients bring their canine and feline patients to a veterinarian,” said Dr. Brenda Mulherin, clinical professor of veterinary clinical sciences. “Students who enter a small animal general practice are required to have basic, fundamental knowledge of veterinary dentistry.”
The semester long course will teach third-year veterinary students how to perform an oral examination, identify oral pathology, perform a dental cleaning, learn regional anesthesia techniques, how to interpret dental radiographs, and practice surgical extractions on canine and feline patients.
“The elective will not only give them didactic information in the lectures, but also provides them hands-on opportunities to practice these skills,” Mulherin said.
The dentistry elective is being offered the first time in the fall semester and so far it has proven to be popular. A total of 27 third-year students are taking the course with another 25-30 expected to enroll during the spring semester.
“By offering this course, we are helping the students in their trajectory in becoming a competent, small animal or mixed animal veterinarian,” Mulherin said. “Offering students the opportunity for hands-on practical experiences in performing basic procedures will help them feel more confident in their skills when applying that knowledge to a live patient.”
The dentistry elective was made possible through a generous donation by MAI Animal Health. The firm and its founder, Dr. Mark Anderson (’75), have donated equipment as well as occasional onsite technical assistance over the years to support the dental program. A recent donation has placed new dental hand instruments, laboratory units and compressors in the new MAI Dentistry Suite in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Patterson Hall.
Mulherin says MAI is unique in creating laboratory units that have been specifically designed for teaching surgical extractions.
“There are no words to express the gratitude that I have for Dr. Anderson and his generosity,” Mulherin said. “This donation will leave a legacy of students who will have tremendous and invaluable hands-on experiences to ensure that they can save one tooth at a time.”
October 2026