Dr. Kyle Odom, 31st Dental Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, performs a root canal on Blitz, a Dutch Shepherd military working dog from 31st SFS K-9 division Aviano AB, Italy. This unusual procedure was a first for the Aviano veterinarian clinic. Odom, a human dentist who specializes in root canals, was called upon to perform this procedure due to the limited dental training vets receive in endodontics (root canals). Odom and his staff worked closely with veterinarian Army Captain Mark Smith on this joint venture. Blitz damaged his lower right canine near the gum line on a hard bite sleeve during training. A successful root canal was performed to prevent an abscess and extreme pain for ...

The original finding aid described this photograph as:

[Complete] Scene Caption: Dr. Kyle Odom, 31st Dental Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, performs a root canal on Blitz, a Dutch Shepherd military working dog from 31st SFS K-9 division Aviano AB, Italy. This unusual procedure was a first for the Aviano veterinarian clinic. Odom, a human dentist who specializes in root canals, was called upon to perform this procedure due to the limited dental training vets receive in endodontics (root canals). Odom and his staff worked closely with veterinarian Army Captain Mark Smith on this joint venture. Blitz damaged his lower right canine near the gum line on a hard bite sleeve during training. A successful root canal was performed to prevent an abscess and extreme pain for the dog.

Base: Aviano Air Base

State: Pordenone

Country: Italy (ITA)

Scene Camera Operator: SRA Dennis Henry, USAF

Release Status: Released to Public
Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files