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Should equine dentistry be performed by non-vets?

5 Comments | Add Yours
Thu, 07/30/2009 - 16:41 — Guest

I've successfully worked with several equine "dentists" that aren't actually doctors. I've been lucky that my experience has been very positive with these practictioners, however it does make me nervous to think that there are people out there who have not had to go through some sort of official training when they're performing what may often be invasive procedures. Thoughts?

This is a tough question for

This is a tough question for two key reasons. First off, I think there are many great equine dentists out there that are not veterinarians, but I think in the long run that these dentists are practicing medicine and they haven't got the background to handle complications should they arise. Not to mention lacking malpractice insurance to pay for any unforeseen ill effects of their practice be it though fault of their own or not. Secondly, I think another problem with this question is where do draw the line? For instance, are we going to say that any horseshoeing should be done only by a veterinarian? What about the chiropractors? We have strict laws for our veterinary technicians and they actually went to school and passed board exams. Yet we have these lay people doing dental extractions.
Fri, 02/05/2010 - 08:04 — Tiffany Horton (not verified)

Equine Dentistry

Would you allow your General Practice Doctor to pull your teeth? He is a doctor but did not go to dental school. As for hand tools vs power tools it obvious that power tools can do a more efficient job than hand tools. I wouldn't want my dentist/doctor using the tools of 50 years ago when there has been so much advancement. Lay dentist and vets alike should go to a school the specializes in dentistry. If they didn't I wouldn't let them touch my horse. As far as sedation, it doesn't mean they are not good horsemen if they need to use it. Not all horses will tolerate their mouths touched let alone opened with a speculum and have tools grind across their teeth. The vets and dentists are not there to train our horses!
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 11:30 — Guest (not verified)

Way too many horses, not enough competent equine dentists

After more than 41,000 floats and seeing or hearing about all the bad dentistry, I feel it boils down to not just experience, but integrity. What I would look for is someone willing to float, someone who makes it an important part of their veterinary practice (either doing it themselves or hiring a lay dentist), and someone who cares about the results. I believe an excellent job can be done using hand tools and no sedation, but not all vets or dentists are horsemen. If they need to drug, they should either be a vet or have a vet do it. Otherwise, why did we go to vet school? Where is your protection against charlatans? Power tools? Not necessary for a good job but necessary for some dentists to do a good job. Keep in mind though, now that we have good sedation and power tools, everyone is trying to make a name for themselves by promoting unproven scientific theories (lateral excursion, table angles, balancing the mouth, incisor reduction). As your own horse's advocate, you must think when scientific fluff is thrown at you. Bottom line, your horse will tell you if the job was done well. And he won't care what letters were afters the guy's name. Geoff Tucker, DVM www.theequinepractice.com
Wed, 08/26/2009 - 23:28 — Guest

It's a question of experience...

My experience has been that "nonvet" equine dentists often have much more expertise in this area compared to most veterinarians. Yes, they didn't go to veterinary school, but dentistry is all they do versus the general practitioner who has to be a jack of all trades many times. I think of equine dentists much like farriers--neither have to be licensed, but both are much more familiar many times with the nuances of a horse's mouth or feet, respectively. Of course, a good dentist or farrier will know when to work together with and/or refer to a veterinary specialist. A incompetent dentist can do damage to a horse's mouth, but so can a veterinarian who lacks experience in that area.
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 15:21 — Guest

No Way!

Would you allow a human doctor to perform a procedure on you without the benefit of having gone to medical school?
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 12:24 — Guest

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