Raising the Standard of Veterinary Dentistry
since 1993
Advanced dental and oral surgical care for pets—rooted in experience, education, and a lifelong commitment to excellence.
The Hospital for Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery was founded on a simple but powerful belief: pets deserve the same level of advanced dental and oral surgical care that humans receive.
COMMITMENT TO BETTER CARE
After graduating from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University in 1986, Dr. Katherine Queck developed a strong interest in dentistry—an area that, at the time, was often underrepresented in veterinary medicine.
Through her early clinical experience, she recognized that oral disease in pets was both common and frequently overlooked, despite its impact on systemic health. This realization shaped the direction of her career.
Dr. Queck pursued advanced training in dentistry and, in 1993, became a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry (FAVD). That same year, she established The Carolinas Animal Hospital & Dental Clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she began integrating general veterinary care with a growing focus on dental referral services.
CONTRIBUTING TO A GROWING FIELD
As veterinary dentistry continued to evolve, Dr. Queck remained actively involved in advancing the field. She collaborated with colleagues on complex cases, provided continuing education opportunities, and participated in professional conferences to share clinical knowledge and experience.
Her efforts reflected a broader goal: to improve access to dental care for patients and to support the continued development of veterinary dentistry as a specialty.
During this time, she was also among a small group of experienced practitioners who were invited to sit for the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) board examination based on their clinical contributions and experience. She successfully completed the process and became a Diplomate of the AVDC.
A DEDICATED SPECIALTY HOSPITAL
As the demand for advanced dental care grew, so did the need for a dedicated facility.
In 2016, Dr. Queck established the Hospital for Veterinary Dentistry & Oral Surgery in Matthews, North Carolina. The hospital was designed to support a higher level of diagnostic and surgical care, with a focus on complex oral conditions.
The addition of Cone Beam CT (CBCT) technology allows for detailed 3D imaging, supporting the evaluation and treatment of conditions such as oral tumors, jaw fractures, temporomandibular joint disorders, cleft palate and lip abnormalities, and nasal disease.
PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
Dr. Queck has remained engaged in the veterinary community throughout her career. She has served in leadership roles within the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, and has been recognized by her peers for her contributions to clinical practice and education.
As a Diplomate of the AVDC, she is a board-certified veterinary dentist with more than four decades of experience in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery.
EDUCATION & MENTORSHIP
Education continues to be an important part of the hospital’s mission.
The Hospital for Veterinary Dentistry & Oral Surgery serves as a training and educational site for veterinarians at multiple stages of their careers. The hospital supports:
- Preceptorship opportunities for fourth-year veterinary students
- A structured internship program
- An AVDC residency training program
- Continuing education for practicing veterinarians
Through these efforts, the hospital contributes to the ongoing development of veterinary dentistry and supports the next generation of specialists. Dr. Queck has helped train many of the veterinary dentists practicing throughout the Charlotte metro area.
Today, the hospital’s work is supported by a dedicated team of veterinarians and trainees who share a commitment to patient care and continued learning.
Dr. Queck is grateful to work alongside: Dr. Brooke Reynolds, DVM, DAVDC, as well as our Residents: Dr. Noriko Aoi, Jodi Reed-Lenhardt, and Intern: Todd Kirks.
WHAT IS A VETERINARY DENTAL SPECIALIST?
A Veterinary Dental Specialist, also known as a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC), is a veterinarian who has completed advanced training in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery.
This includes:
- Completion of a formal residency program
- Advanced case training and documentation
- Successful completion of rigorous written and practical examinations
AVDC is recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties as the certifying body for veterinary dentistry in North America.
Veterinary dental specialists have demonstrated a high level of expertise in diagnosing and treating complex oral conditions in animals.
WHAT IS A VETERINARY DENTAL FELLOW?
A Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry (FAVD) is a veterinarian who has pursued additional training and demonstrated advanced knowledge in veterinary dentistry.
The Academy of Veterinary Dentistry recognizes individuals who dedicate a significant portion of their work to:
- Clinical practice
- Education
- Research in veterinary dentistry
Fellows are highly experienced in dental care and are referred to as veterinary dentists, though they are not board-certified specialists.
WHAT IS A VETERINARY DENTAL RESIDENT?
A veterinary dental resident is a licensed veterinarian who is completing advanced specialty training in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery.
Residents:
- Have graduated from an accredited veterinary school
- Have passed national and state licensing exams
- Are selected through a competitive process
- Train under the direct supervision of board-certified specialists
Residency programs typically last 3–5 years and include intensive clinical, surgical, and academic training. Upon completion, residents may pursue board certification through the AVDC.
Meet our Doctors
Dr. Katherine Queck
DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, Founder
Board-certified Dentist
Dr. Katherine Queck is the founder of the Hospital for Veterinary Dentistry & Oral Surgery and a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC). She graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University in 1986 and developed an early interest in dentistry at a time when the field was still emerging within veterinary medicine. In 1993, she became a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry and established a practice in Charlotte, North Carolina that combined general care with a focus on dental referral services. In 2016 she established the Hospital for Veterinary Dentistry & Oral Surgery in Matthews, NC and subsequently opened another location in Mt. Pleasant, SC. With more than 40 years of experience in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery, Dr. Queck has remained actively involved in clinical practice, education, and mentorship, helping to support the continued growth of the specialty.
Dr. Brooke Reynolds
DVM, DAVDC
Board-certified Dentist
Dr. Brooke Reynolds is a board-certified veterinary dentist and Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC). Originally from Pennsylvania, she graduated from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012 and spent a decade in general practice before pursuing advanced training in veterinary dentistry. In July 2025, she completed her residency along with the rigorous written and practical examinations required for board certification.
Her background in general practice provides a strong foundation in understanding the connection between oral health and systemic disease, which she integrates into her approach to patient care. Dr. Reynolds enjoys all aspects of veterinary dentistry and oral surgery, with a particular interest in feline dentistry.
She is also a published author, with work appearing in both fiction and the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Reynolds enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and their three children. Their home is shared with two dogs, Layla and Pickles, along with a rotating cast of small pets, currently including fish and a crested gecko named George.
Here when you need us.
We are here to help your patients live happy, healthy lives.