A Swindon vets has expanded what it claims to be the largest animal dentistry team in Europe.

Eastcott Veterinary Referrals has added two new members of staff to its growing group while celebrating the success of an existing employeee.

Resident Hannah van Velzen gained a Dentistry Certificate for Small Animal Veterinary Practice from the European School of Advanced Veterinary Studies, and residents Peter Bogar and Joanna Pakuła have joined the team led by Andrew Perry, the secretary of the British Veterinary Dental Association.

Mr Perry, head of dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery, said: “Here at Eastcott, we have the largest dentistry team in Europe and offer world-leading dental care.

“We are one of only a limited number of referral centres to offer a specialist-led service and have a purpose-built dentistry suite that allows our team to provide the very best treatment for all dental and oral conditions.

“Hannah’s achievement is fantastic and her added qualification illustrates how we encourage continuing professional development in our staff.

“We are proud to see her gain her additional dentistry qualifications and know she has a real passion for the often complex work we do.

“Add to that the addition of Peter and Joanna as residents, it really shows our commitment to remain at the forefront of dental, oral and maxillofacial surgery.

“We’re delighted to welcome them into our stellar team and look forward to the significant contribution they can make with us.”

Peter graduated in 2016 and gained a General Practitioner Certificate in 2021 followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery in 2022.

He undertook a year-long rotating internship at Eastcott between 2022 and 2023 and has now joined the dental team.

Joanna graduated in 2018 and is now an associate of the British Veterinary Dental Association and one of the assistant teachers at the ESAVS.

She regularly attends congresses and lectures, including the European Veterinary Dental Forum and Accessia. Her focus will be maxillofacial surgery and complex trauma cases.

Eastcott Veterinary Referrals offers expert care in cardiology, dentistry, internal medicine, neurology, ophthalmology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, diagnostic imaging and CT, anaesthesia and analgesia and has its own Emergency Care Centre.

The practice is owned by Linnaeus, which offers industry-leading care to patients across southern and central England and Wales.