10 things to look for in your Equine Dentist
Equine Dentist - the term is often misleading, with no single body that oversees a non-veterinarian that calls themselves an ‘equine dentist’. If someone presents themselves as an ‘equine dentist’ it suggests that the person is formally trained, with multiple years of university up their sleeve - but this is usually not the case. Did you know that horses teeth are just as complicated, or more complicated than human teeth? The average veterinarian, recently graduated, although would know the theory, does not have the appropriated training to perform adequate equine dentistry. It is a rapidly expanding field of specialisation, that Vet in the Valley is excited to be apart off!
Here are 10 key things that you should look for when choosing to do your horses teeth:
Good Reputation - what are they best known for? Cheap services? Ability to do equine dental extremely quick? Can get through 14 dentals in 3 hours? Or are they known for their knowledge, training and examination skills?
Examines the mouth properly - In order to look in a horses mouth properly and examine the mouth and teeth the equine dentist must flush the mouth out, use a full mouth dental gag, a good light source, a dental mirror and a probe. You need to both look and feel in the mouth, and a good dentist will explain, show and allow you feel the condition of your horse mouth.
Uses Sedation - In order for a thorough mouth examination and treatment sedation must be used. It allows the horses mouth to be relaxed and therefore allows access to the back of the mouth, where most commonly we see lesions such as hooks.
Dental charts are used and issued - this is a medical record and is often used in the future eg. when selling the horse or to chart disease progression. Vet in the Valley completes over 1000 dentals a year - lets be honest, if we didn’t chart what we did, we couldn’t remember!
Scientific Background - just like human dentistry, equine dentistry requires understanding in embryology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, disease processes, pharmacology and radiology as a bare minimum. You simply don’t get this in a 2-3 week online course.
Uses Pain Relief - Your equine dentist should use pain relief in the form of local anaesthetic and or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories when doing dental procedures. Remember, even if it’s a wolf tooth, would you like it done to you without local anaesthetic?
Value for Money - you get what you pay for! Beware of any horse dentist doing more than 2-3 horses an hour because this is undoubtedly compromising on quality, examination and treatment.
Accountability - does your equine dentist work under a governing body e.g. the Veterinary Surgeons Board?
Provides a Tax Invoice - which they contribute to the economy, a are a honest tax-payer that strive to get tax deductions through investing in equipment and training, so everyone will benefit in the future!
Insurance - Did you know, if your horses is insured and a non-vet sedates it, and an accident occurs then the insurance is null and void? Equine dental Vets are covered for unforeseen accidents, professional error and bad outcomes.