The History of the European Veterinary Dental Foundation (EVDF)
Foundation and Origins
The journey began on 29 September 1992, when a group of veterinary surgeons interested in animal dental care gathered in Rome. This led to the creation of the European Veterinary Dental Society (EVDS), with Dr. Karl Zetner as its first president WikipediaEVDF.
EVDS quickly became influential in the European veterinary dental community. On 6 October 1993, the society held its first congress in Berlin Wikipedia.
Specialized Credentials and Education
Recognizing the need for formal certification, the European Veterinary Dental College (EVDC) received provisional recognition from the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation in April 1998. It held its inaugural examinations that May in Ljubljana, Slovenia, during which twelve founding diplomats were certified Wikipediaevdc.org.
The Evolution into a Forum and Foundation
The EVDS continued to host annual congresses in different European countries, originally organized by local committees before shifting to EVDS-only leadership with input from EVDC. In 2015, the format evolved into the European Veterinary Dental Forum (EVDF) Wikipedia.
With membership exceeding 200 by 2019, EVDS recognized limitations in decision-making due to inconsistent meeting attendance Wikipedia.
To better mirror the structure of the American Veterinary Dental Foundation, EVDS’s leadership decided in 2023 to transition into a foundation model. This change was formally approved by members, and on 14 January 2025, the European Veterinary Dental Foundation (EVDF) was officially established WikipediaFundraiso.
Mission, Structure, and Activities
EVDF operates as a UK-registered charity (Charity No. 1211695) since 2025, with the documented purpose of advancing veterinary dental medicine through education, training, and research dissemination for public benefit EVDFFundraiso.
The foundation is led by an executive board, which includes a president, secretary, and treasurer—all serving terms of two years—and supported by specialized committees focusing on Congress planning, Education & Science, Marketing & Promotion, and Digital Communication Wikipedia.
As of 2025, EVDF counts approximately 350 associate members, who benefit from professional development resources, discounted access to the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, courses, congresses, and valuable dental charts WikipediaEVDF.
The foundation also offers grants to veterinary surgeons, encouraging research and advancement in the field Wikipedia.
Timeline Summary
| Year/Period | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1992 | EVDS founded in Rome |
| 1993 | First EVDS Congress, Berlin |
| 1998 | EVDC formed and first certifications held in Ljubljana |
| 2015 | Transformation from EVDS congress to EVDF (European Veterinary Dental Forum) |
| 2019 | Membership exceeds 200 |
| 2023 | Decision to restructure into a foundation |
| 14 Jan 2025 | Official establishment of the European Veterinary Dental Foundation (EVDF) |
Why the EVDF Matters
Formalizing excellence: EVDF represents a structured and sustainable model to support veterinary dental professionals across Europe.
Professional development: By collaborating with EVDC and EVDS, the foundation ensures access to training, certification, and educational resources.
Advancing research and public welfare: The foundation’s grants and outreach efforts foster innovation and enhance dental care for a broad range of animal species.
Inclusive governance: A representative board and focused committees ensure that the foundation remains responsive to its community.
In Conclusion
From humble beginnings as a society of veterinary dentists in 1992, the community evolved through structured educational efforts and global forums. The founding of the EVDF in 2025 marks a significant milestone—a modern, purpose-driven foundation poised to influence the future of veterinary dentistry in Europe.
