Penn Vet Holds Ribbon Cutting for New $2.8 Million Richard Lichter Advanced Dentistry and Oral Surgery Suite

The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) commemorated the official re-opening of the newly named Richard Lichter Advanced Dentistry and Oral Surgery Suite at Ryan Hospital with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held November 7. The ceremony celebrated the effort to fund and renovate a state-of-the-art clinic for comprehensive oral and restorative small animal patient care, clinical instruction, and research.  

Event speakers included Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine Andrew Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM; Ryan Hospital Director, Chief Medical Officer, and Associate Dean of Clinical Enterprise Brady Beale, VMD, DACVO; major donors Richard Lichter and Nadine Chien; and Professor Emeritus of Dental and Oral Surgery Colin Harvey – founding member of the first veterinary dental organization, the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) – who delivered remarks on the history of dental services at Penn Vet. 

Penn Vet is recognized as the birthplace of the dental and oral surgery (DOS) veterinary specialty. With a focus on complex oral procedures, including cleft palate repairs, the DOS service attracts clients, students, and residents from across the U.S. and globally. Over three decades of growth and demand for advanced veterinary surgical treatments necessitated a physical space expansion to meet patient and client need. 

“Our specialists have been diagnosing and treating diseases — including life-threatening diseases —for the last 35 years, and this new state-of-the-art facility is going to help us take that to the next level,” said Beale. “It really is a facility of the future. The Richard Lichter Advanced Dentistry and Oral Surgery Suite will allow us to contribute to the clinical research mission that we are so proud of. It will allow us to provide better patient care. This space will also make a remarkable difference in our teaching mission.” 

Work on The Richard Lichter Advanced Dentistry and Oral Surgery Suite began in February 2024. Construction increased the size of the original dental operatory by adding a third surgical station to accommodate the DOS service’s higher caseload. State-of-the-art Olympic Hi-Lo adjustable weight surgical tables were installed to offer advanced docking systems for integration of dental equipment and surgical tools and provide greater efficiency during procedures. In addition, video capture systems — complete with boom mounted pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, 55-inch 4k displays, and live video streaming capabilities — were added at every surgical station to facilitate Penn Vet’s innovative student and resident learning experiences.  

A space was also established for a Xoran Technologies vTRON cone beam CT unit, an advanced imaging modality that allows for 3D imaging of teeth and bones. Offering instant access to images and advanced software viewing capabilities, the vTRON will allow for real-time diagnosing and treatment planning, filling the gap left by traditional two-dimensional radiographs. 

Because of its proximity to nine other Ryan Hospital surgery suites, the vTRON will facilitate more efficient care for patients undergoing neurology and orthopedic surgeries. 

“My mission is to support dogs during their greatest time of need, but I am not a veterinarian. I can’t fulfill my mission without great partners,” said Richard Lichter. “Penn Vet is an amazing partner, because they don’t just create something that is great, they pay attention to every single detail. With this new suite, they have built something that is truly spectacular. This space is dedicated to the unknown dogs who passed through life without notice, love, or the comfort of human companionship.”  

The completed DOS expansion will significantly increase Ryan Hospital’s ability to deliver care to patients and shorten appointment wait times. It will also foster advanced understanding of oral diseases and conditions, including head and neck cancers. 

“The new Richard Lichter Advanced Dentistry and Oral Surgery Suite is a testament to our commitment to excellence,” said Hoffman. “This facility enhances our Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service while shaping the future of the field by advancing the training experiences of the next generation of veterinary dental and oral specialists. Thanks to the generous contributions of Richard Lichter and our esteemed naming donors — Nadine Chien, her late husband Frederick Batzold, and Anson Tsugawa, V’98 — we are creating a legacy that builds upon Penn Vet’s reputation as a regional and national destination for the most advanced care of companion animals.” 

View photos from the ribbon cutting event here.