Animal Dental and its Impact on Veterinary Real Estate: Q&A With Terravet’s Dan Eisenstadt

At one time, animal dental procedures occurred in a veterinarian’s general treatment area or surgical suite. However, the increasing importance of dental hygiene in dogs and cats has prompted more veterinarians to consider specialization—and special areas for treatment.

Connect CRE asked Terravet Real Estate Solutions CEO Dan Eisenstadt several questions about this growing trend and its impact on veterinarian-specific real estate.

Connect CRE: Could you fill me in about the increasing interest in veterinarian dental care?

Dan Eisenstadt: Of course. Over the past decade, there has been growing awareness of the importance of veterinary dentistry for dogs and cats. The American Veterinary Dental College was only granted full accreditation in 1995, and subsequently, the number of boarded veterinary dental specialists began to grow. Along with the growth in the number of boarded dental specialists, awareness of the importance of regular dental care grew in many general practices.  As a result, many progressive practices have established special dental suites or dental areas equipped with a dental X-ray machine and a dedicated area for oral surgery after pets have been anesthetized.

Connect CRE: So, are we seeing more growth in dental pet care specialties within veterinary practices?

Dan Eisenstadt: Yes. As a result of the growth of boarded dental veterinary specialists, many general practice veterinarians have come to value the importance of regular dental wellness exams and have been able to identify various issues, including oral cancers, earlier than in the past. Moreover, many progressive general practices have also come to understand that dental work is a profitable addition to a practice, which can increase revenue, profitability, and frequency of visits by pet owners to a practice. 

Connect CRE: How does this trend impact veterinary real estate?

Dan Eisenstadt: Historically, many freestanding dental facilities were housed in converted houses, strip malls, or small freestanding facilities occupying less than 3,000 square feet. Over the past decade, we have seen a trend towards purposefully designed freestanding general practices with more than 5,000 square feet. Part of this shift to purposeful design and larger facilities is a result of the growth in dental areas. Dedicated dental suites or dental areas certainly require space in a practice. Integration of these suites means that facility owners need to renovate and redesign the flow of their treatment areas and surgery suites. As a result, we have seen practices decide to proceed with a larger renovation and redesign in part due to a desire to have a dedicated dental area.

Connect CRE: What is the outlook for veterinary dental specialty spaces?

Dan Eisenstadt: We believe the future is bright for general practices with five doctors or more situated in modern, purpose-built, well-designed facilities of more than 7,000 square feet. These facilities include dedicated space for dental work and numerous exam rooms that enable multiple veterinarians to work simultaneously. Terravet REIT focuses on helping develop, renovate, and own those buildings. As a result, the average size of a building owned by Terravet REIT is more than 10,000 square feet.