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This is a very controversial topic indeed!

Personally, I think the most important factor

to consider is the patient involved.

For example, if a patient presents with a

clinical problem likely to be associated with

significant disease or injury in the mouth; or

the patient is resentful of dental examination

and/or work being undertaken, then a vet

with further experience and ideally a

qualification in equine dentistry would be

best placed to tackle this particular case.

Only vets are able to offer a complete clinical

package for the client and patient - sedation,

appropriate pain relief, make veterinary

diagnoses and perform advanced treatments,

such as tooth extractions.

However, when considering routine care

of the equine mouth, experienced and

qualified Dental Technicians are appropriately

placed to perform work on these patients.

Many of my clients’ horses are well behaved

and relaxed for dental work; and as I spend

all day every day examining equine mouths,

I believe I can confidently offer a thorough

service. Experienced and qualified dentists

are ideally placed for spotting pathology

and provide an excellent standard of

dental work.

In short, I believe there is a place for both

Equine Dental Technicians and veterinary

surgeons in equine dentistry and it would

be unfair to undervalue the work of either

person, provided they are suitably qualified

and experienced within their field. Of course,

dentists must be mindful of the limitations in

clinical work and so the role of the vet will

always be integral in this area.

Penny Brownings RVN BAEDT

Veterinary Nurse and Equine Dental Technician

VETER INARY HOT

TOP I C!

Dr. Nic Harries BVMS MRCVS BAEDT

Veterinary Surgeon and Equine Dental

Technician

A wide variety of people perform dental

procedures on horses in the UK, including

veterinary surgeons, British Association of

Equine Dental Technicians/Worldwide

Association of Equine Dentistry

(BAEDT/WWAED) qualified Equine Dental

Technicians and others with no formal

qualifications or training.

Certain dental procedures are legally

considered acts of veterinary surgery, i.e.

must only be performed by a veterinary

surgeon. However, it has been agreed that

Equine Dental Technicians who have

passed the BEVA/WWAED exam can

perform some specified procedures.

Currently, there is a high level of equine

dental expertise within the veterinary

profession, and veterinary surgeons have

no restrictions on performing more

advanced procedures, such as extractions,

diastema widening and endodontics (dental

fillings).

Only vets are allowed to sedate horses,

although qualified veterinary nurses may do

so under veterinary instruction. Sedation

allows thorough oral examination with a

mirror and probes, facilitating early

detection and treatment of problems (many

of which have no outward symptoms) and

of course, thorough rasping of the teeth.

As one of several vets in the UK who are

also qualified Equine Dental Technicians, I

feel we are well placed to be performing

routine dentistry; however, whomever you

choose to do your horse’s teeth, the most

important factor is that they are properly

qualified.

A - no treatment

B - yes, by my Vet

C - yes, by an Equine Dental

Technician

XLVets Equine facebook survey

(93 replies) - Have your horse’s

teeth been treated in the last

12 months?

46.6%

50.5%

Hot Potato Topic:

Vet or Dentist -

who should do my horse's teeth?

We asked equine owners about routine

dental care and these are the results from

our survey. We recommend that horses

under the age of six and older than 16

years are checked by your vet or qualified

Equine Dental Technician every six months.

Horses between six and 16 years old

should be examined at least yearly. Horses

that have any difficulties or abnormalities

detected may require examinations and/or

treatment more regularly. Those horses that

experience sudden difficulties eating,

dropping feed, or weight loss should be

examined by their vet promptly.

Karl Holliman BVM&S CertEP MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon and Equine Dental Technician

Clearly the answer is

‘me‘! But to be

serious, the question

doesn't explain what does ‘do my horse’s

teeth’ mean

?

The title of ‘Dentist’ is a

protected term and can only be used by

persons qualified in human dentistry and

registered with the General Dental Council.

There is far more to equine dental care than

rasping sharp teeth. Dental care can only

be truly effective after careful, thorough

assessment and examination of the oral

cavity and teeth. Only when all problems

are diagnosed and assessed can the most

appropriate treatment be planned and

then carried out. For many horses such

assessment and examination can only be

carried out with sedation and the use of

appropriate equipment, such as lights,

mirrors and oral cameras.

Routine treatment of floating and reduction

of overgrowths should be carried out by a

vet who has an interest in equine dentistry

and ideally has carried out some form of

post graduate training in equine dentistry

(over 500 vets have done so), or by a

suitably qualified Equine Dental Technician,

such as a member of BAEDT, who has

undergone suitable training and examination.

19

EQUINE MATTERS