ABOUT NZ VET DENTISTRY
Dr. Crystal C. Loh
BSc DVM MANZCVS DAVDC
Director
New Zealand Veterinary Dentistry Ltd. is a Waikato-based referral veterinary dentistry service owned and operated by Dr. Crystal Loh. Dr. Crystal is a Canadian veterinarian who studied at the University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, graduating in 2007. Following this she completed a one year internship at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville College of Veterinary Medicine.
In 2008 Dr. Crystal moved overseas to New Zealand in search of dairy cattle and hobbits. She worked predominantly with dairy cattle for four years before transitioning to solely companion animal practice. Dr. Crystal developed a keen interest in dentistry from there, largely in part to her greyhound, Moe, who suffered from periodontal disease. She also found utmost delight in being able to treat and manage painful conditions in her patients, improving their overall quality of life. It is because of Moe that Dr. Crystal founded the Moe's Tooth Fairy Fund, which provides assistance to rescue animals and other needy cases requiring advanced dental and oral surgery work.
In 2016 Dr. Crystal acquired membership with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in the Small Animal Dentistry & Oral Surgery chapter. She then operated a dental referral service in Hamilton for 2 years before deciding to embark on an intensive 3 year conforming residency in veterinary dentistry overseas. In 2022 Dr. Crystal passed her final board examinations and completed all the requirements of the program, becoming a fully board certified veterinary dentist with the American Veterinary Dental College.
Dr. Crystal is one of only three board certified veterinary dentists in New Zealand, and one of two who holds board certification with the American Veterinary Dental College, the highest qualification in the field, as well as membership with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.
Dr. Crystal has a keen interest in the fields of oral surgery and endodontics, but loves all things dentistry related. She is passionate about teaching and upskilling other veterinarians and veterinary nurses so that they can provide a high standard of care to their patients. Dr. Crystal has lectured across Australia and New Zealand, and in the USA. She leads regular workshops for general veterinarians as a contractor to PracticalCPD, operated by KahuVet, is a tutor for the online Center of Veterinary Education practical dentistry course operated by the University of Sydney, and has authored work for the New Zealand Veterinary Association. She also serves on two committees within the AVDC and is a current Examiner for the ANZCVS Membership exams.
Dr. Crystal provides in-clinic training tailored to meet the specific needs of local general veterinarians covering a wide range of topics, from implementation of dentistry wellness programs, dental radiography technique and interpretation, and dental extractions. She has run many successful sessions in both the North and South Islands.
Over her career, she has participated in multiple voluntary veterinary expeditions throughout the USA, Spain and Tonga, and hopes to embark on further expeditions in the future to provide veterinary and dental specific care to animals globally.
Aside from dentistry, Dr. Crystal enjoys spending time with her two wonderful sons and husband, 2 dogs and 3 cats on their dairy farm in the Waikato. She loves to cook, bake artisan bread, garden, and play piano in her free time. She is learning to play the violin with the goal of playing in the community orchestra one day.