YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED,
BOARD CERTIFIED VETERINARY DENTIST®

Our Commitment

At East Tennessee Veterinary Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing specialized and compassionate veterinary dental care for your beloved pets. Led by Dr. Katy Burton, our expert team offers a combined 27 years of dentistry specialty experience. We offer board certified advanced services in dentistry and anesthesia, prioritizing oral health to eliminate painful conditions and improve your pet's quality of life. We understand the importance of trust, collaboration, and tailored treatment plans to ensure every pet receives the care they deserve. Our comprehensive approach emphasizes education, making it easy for pet owners to make informed decisions regarding their pet's dental health.

What is a
Veterinary Dentist?

When it comes to your pet’s health, dentistry plays a much bigger role than many people realize. Just as in human medicine, veterinary medicine has advanced to include specialized fields such as cardiology, radiology, surgery, dermatology—and dentistry. Board Certified Veterinary Dentists® are the professionals who dedicate their careers to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral health problems in animals.

A Rigorous Path to Specialization

Becoming a Board Certified Veterinary Dentist® requires years of advanced training and dedication. After completing a four-year undergraduate degree followed by a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, veterinarians must pursue additional specialized training through the American Veterinary Dental College® (AVDC®).

This process typically involves:

• Residency training: At least three years of advanced education and hands-on experience focused exclusively on veterinary dentistry and oral surgery.

• Credential review: Acceptance of a peer-reviewed journal article, case logs, and specialized training hours in anesthesia, surgery, and radiology, by a review board of the AVDC®.

• Comprehensive examinations: Candidates must successfully pass both written and practical board examinations before earning the title of Diplomate of the AVDC® (DAVDC).

This rigorous process ensures that veterinary dentists are highly skilled in identifying, preventing, and repairing dental and oral health problems in dogs and cats. Their expertise includes oral surgery, periodontal therapy, root canal treatment, fracture repair, restorative dentistry, orthodontics, and much more.

Why Specialty Dentistry Matters for Pets

Oral health is vital to a pet’s overall well-being. Painful oral conditions—such as periodontal disease, tooth fractures, or oral tumors—can affect a pet’s ability to eat, play, and enjoy life.

OUR TEAM

Katy Burton, DVM, DAVDC

Thank you for taking the time to get to know East Tennessee Veterinary Dentistry. As a Board Certified Veterinary Dentist® through the American Veterinary Dental College® (AVDC®), I specialize in dentistry and oral surgery. I know how important it is to trust the team caring for your patients and four-legged family members, and it is my privilege to partner with veterinarians and pet parents to restore comfort, prevent disease, and give pets the best quality of life possible.

I graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 and practiced as an associate veterinarian at Lange Animal Hospital for 20 years. During that time, my passion for dentistry grew, leading me to pursue advanced training in dentistry and oral surgery under the guidance of board certified veterinary dentists and anesthesiologists. I later completed a dental residency program through the American Veterinary Dental College® and became board certified. My advanced training includes oral surgery, endodontics (root canal therapy), periodontics, restorative dentistry, fracture repair, digital imaging, anesthesia, and orthodontics.

Beyond providing care, I value teaching and collaboration. With an undergraduate degree in education, I continue to enjoy sharing knowledge and raising awareness about veterinary dentistry within both the veterinary community and the general public. My goal is to be a trusted resource for colleagues and pet families alike.

I’ve called Knoxville home since 1989 and am deeply committed to this community. When I’m not in the clinic, you’ll often find me enjoying all that East Tennessee has to offer—hiking, paddleboarding, exercising, or spending time with family, friends, and my pets: my forever-pup Roo and my snuggly cat Petunia.

Free Mango Reviews Widget

Mary Hale

2026-03-25

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dr. Kay Burton at East Tennessee Veterinary Dental provided exceptional care for my dog, Jayde. She removed a very large dentigerous cyst that was found during a routine dental cleaning and several teeth after my regular vet referred us because the capsule could not be removed there. Dr. Burton was extremely thorough. She showed me before-and-after surgery photos, carefully explained the procedure, and gave very clear after-care instructions. She even called our home several times to check on Jayde during recovery, which meant a lot. Jayde is doing great now, and I’m very grateful for Dr. Burton’s expertise and compassion. I highly recommend her.

Rebecca R

2026-03-14

Amazing and caring staff. Helped my sweet boy at his time of need and on the road to a full recovery! Thank you Dr. Burton for caring for my sweet Alvin!

Tara Stockton

2026-01-18

I was very satisfied with how the specialist explained the procedure and follow up throughout the procedure. We were very surprised to see how quick our Bouvier bounced back after surgery.

Scott Sammons

2025-12-20

Dr. Burton and her team are awesome! I can’t say enough positive things about them and my experience. I have a 17 year old dog with a heart condition who needed to have teeth removed and needless to say I was very anxious about having him put under anesthesia due to the high risks. However, after meeting with Dr. Burton much of my anxiety was alleviated. She and her team are so caring. Dr. Burton walked me through the procedure in detail and the benefits to my dog’s health and comfort of removing the teeth over leaving them. Dr. Burton and her team treated him as if he were their own pet and they were great at calming him when he arrived. Also, the facilities are so nice, top notch, and the exam rooms are so calming and inviting, not sterile and cold, which made a stressful time for me a little easier. After the procedures my dog recovered quickly and I am so happy I made the decision to go ahead with it. He acts like he is 10 years younger with running and playing and he seems to feel so much better to have the bad teeth removed. Thank you Dr. Burton and team!!! Yogi and I are so happy to have found you!

ma c

2025-12-18

We are so thankful for Dr. Burton and her staff 🙏🏼 The most honest and helpful people you could ever ask for. Thank you guys so much for taking such care with our fur baby!!