Dr Rebecca Tucker

BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery)
Diplomate, American Veterinary Dental College™

Dr. Bec Tucker’s journey into veterinary dentistry has been both unexpected and incredibly fulfilling. Dentistry wasn’t even on her radar when she graduated with a BVSc (Hons) from the University of Sydney in 2007. However, she was fortunate to meet veterinarians who had found their passion for dentistry, and their encouragement and enthusiasm shifted her perspective.

Through continuing education lectures and workshops, Dr. Tucker went from not particularly enjoying dentistry and oral surgery to genuinely loving it. In 2012, she became a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (MANZCVS) for Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery, a significant milestone marking the first big step in advancing her dental knowledge. Her journey continued as she took on the role of President of the Dentistry Chapter for the ANZCVS in 2017 and 2018, where she also served as an examiner and convenor for the dental chapter of the ANZCVS Science Week conference.

In 2018, Dr. Tucker completed a Veterinary Dentistry residency through the American Veterinary Dental College under the mentorship of Dr. Loic Legendre and Dr. Gary Wilson. This accomplishment paved the way for her current role as Director at Advanced Animal Dentistry.

Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, Dr. Tucker achieved Diplomate status with the American Veterinary Dental College (non-species specific) in June 2023. She is now one of only six veterinarians in Australia to hold this qualification.

Dr. Tucker finds particular fulfillment in oral surgery, especially reconstructive procedures that require ongoing care. She finds it incredibly rewarding to see patients return to health with an improved quality of life. One of the best parts of her job is developing bonds with pets, getting to know their personalities, and building relationships with their owners throughout these journeys. Her holistic and highly communicative approach ensures that treatment plans are developed in close collaboration with clients, aiming for optimal outcomes for both the pets and their owners.

Outside of work, Dr. Tucker enjoys spending time with her family and her two adorable Whippets, Maple and Hazel. Maple is the eldest and is what Dr. Tucker calls their “proximity dog” because she is never far from her husband. Hazel, on the other hand, is more independent but loves cuddles. Interestingly, both dogs enjoy having their teeth brushed, a quirky side effect of having a mum who is a dental vet!

As for unusual cases, Dr. Tucker has treated a variety of wildlife and zoo animals, but one of the cutest and most memorable was a Lemur. She also regularly performs dental treatments on Wombats, which often surprises people.