Dr. Sharon Startup has the distinction of belonging to an elite group of specialists worldwide who has successfully completed the rigorous training and testing required to become a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC), the highest diploma in her field. Dr. Startup is the only board-certified veterinary dental specialist in east Tennessee and one of only seven boarded veterinary dentists in the southeast, excluding Florida. In addition, she is a member of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry and the American Veterinary Dental Society.

Dr. Startup began performing dental procedures and oral surgery in 1997. Her passion for her field has led her to publish articles and book chapters and to teach senior veterinary students, veterinary interns, as well as private practitioners from around the globe.