FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN SELECTING A QUALIFIED EQUINE DENTIST By Ron Hildebrand, BSE(ME), DVM, EqDT It can be a difficult task for horse owners to select an equine dentist or to know whether their current dentist is taking care of their horse s teeth properly. Currently, there is no training available equivalent to the training of a human dentist in the United States. At best, equine dentists are veterinarians or technicians. For purposes of this article, EqDT (Equine Dental Technician) will be used to refer to those who care for horses mouths and teeth. Recommendations In a perfect world, horse owners would have information in advance about prospective EqDT candidates or, at least, have recommendations from fellow horse people about EqDTs they know and prefer. Even with the best recommendations, it is beneficial for horse owners to check out the EqDT s reputation and quality of his or her work. Training and Qualifications There are a couple of organizations that test and certify equine dental technicians. Some EqDTs have certification but generally, most do not. Probably, a better gage is to ask where and how this person received training. There are three schools in the U.S. which offer training programs for equine dental technicians. Each offers comprehensive programs. They are as follows: The Academy of Equine Dentistry (http://www.equinedentalacademy.com/) located in Idaho; The American School of Equine Dentistry (http://www.amscheqdentistry.com/), located in Virginia; and The Midwest Equine Dental Academy (http://www.midwestequinedental.com/), located in Michigan. As an alternative to formal education, training may be received by apprenticeship. It is not adequate to study at a weekend wet lab or as an add-on in a farrier program. Proper EqDT training takes a minimum of several weeks, not days. Check Out Prospective EqDTs There are very few controls or regulations on the equine dental industry. No states require or offer licensing. A few states have a registry. Also, most states require some sort of supervision by a licensed veterinarian. Usually, horse owners find themselves face to face with an EqDT, who they don't know, and to whom they are about to risk the teeth and oral health of their horses.
In this situation, it is advisable for horse owners to consider asking prospective EqDTs questions and check out a few of their instruments that might be used. Please remember, it is the operator, not the tools, which dictate the quality of the work. Nonetheless, some minimal basic equipment is necessary. Picture 1 First: Check out his or her instruments. Using a universal float (Picture 1 - left) alone is not enough. This tool is designed to follow the curvature of the teeth to round sharp edges. However, the thickness of this instrument makes it nearly impossible to reach the back half of the cheek teeth in a light horse using this device, even though it works rather well on draft horses. As a result, if the EqDT only uses this instrument to float, it will most likely result in most horses still having sharp points on the last three molars. Does the EqDT have a full mouth speculum (Picture 2)? Without this instrument, it is nearly impossible to examine the molars before and after the work is done. Picture 2
Also, a gag speculum (Picture 3) alone is not enough. A gag speculum is useful for work on the incisors (front teeth) only. If this device is left in place long enough to float the other side of the mouth, it will either be painful, inadequate, or both. P i c t u r e 3 U s i n g power or motorized instruments does NOT make the user more or less qualified. Again, it's the operator, not the tools, that makes the difference. There are a few conditions that absolutely require the rotating burrs of power instruments, but usually, most work can be done equally as well with either power or manual instruments (Picture 4). Picture 4 Without going through the various devices one by one (there are hundreds.), a few basic instruments should be in every equine dental technician s bag. Including: o Full mouth speculum (Picture 2) o Gag speculum (Picture 3) o An assortment of hand files in various lengths and angles or a power float (Picture 4) o A large halter that allows the horse to open his mouth easily o A good spotlight, usually mounted on the operators head or on a stand Second: It is important to ask the EqDT how sedation is handled. This is very significant. Currently, no states allow non-licensed practitioners to sedate horses. However, in some states, there is movement in the direction of permitting licensed veterinary technicians to administer these prescription level drugs if a licensed veterinarian is consulted over the telephone.
If the EqDT injects or applies prescription medication under the tongue, he or she is violating the law (unless her or she is a licensed veterinarian or vet technician). If the EqDT gives prescription drugs by any route, the horse owner should ask where the EqDT received training to do this. This issue should be taken very seriously. The administration of sedatives is restricted for good reason. Animals can die or become injured during sedation. Also, the EqDT should have a solid solution if the horse does not tolerate dentistry, such as bringing in a veterinarian. It is not a solution to fly under the radar, wink and then, sedate, nor do without sedation and allow the horse to endure pain and discomfort. These factors depend on the professionalism of each individual EqDT. If the EqDT handles sedation according to local state and federal laws and acts professionally, this individual might be a good one. If the EqDT brushes off the issue of drug administration, complains, violates the law, or is unprofessional in any way, it is a red flag to the horse owner. Conversely, an EqDT who has a solution that is well thought out or works with a veterinarian, may indicate professional behavior. Third: It is advisable to observe the EqDT s work. For example, when health care professionals are asked what the most important part of the process is, the proper response should go something like: You can't do a good job if you don't get a good evaluation of the problem(s). The EqDT should get a good visual and engage an entire arm (inside the horse s mouth) in getting a feel of the teeth. Preferably, both are advisable. Also, the EqDT should allow and encourage horse owners to see or feel the teeth before and after the work is complete. This will give horse owners added knowledge about the all important care of their horses. Fourth: In respect to fees, it is important to know whether the EqDT charges by the horse or by the service provided to each individual horse. Generally, a flat fee for each horse means the same work will be done for each animal regardless of the individual s particular condition. Unless all the horses are under five years of age, there is a great variation in oral condition, depending on each individual. Hence, this creates a great variation in the amount of work required. The inclination is to not treat the older, more complicated mouths, fully when charging based on the philosophy one fee fits all (a flat fee). Equine dentistry can require as little as five minutes of work or as much as several hours, depending on the dental condition of the individual. Thus, it is a better practice to charge on the basis of the amount of work required for each individual horse, i.e. based on the service provided. Fifth: Ethically, just like farriers and veterinarians, it is poor practice for a EqDT to speak poorly of other equine professionals or other horse health care and service providers. Ultimately, the better providers will do a quality of work that speaks for itself and hopefully, receive good referrals from happy clients and their horses. Summary As an advocate for their horses, horse owners, trainers, barn managers and other equine professionals should be careful in selecting an equine dentist. Just like it is best to avoid buying bad hay, it is also, best to avoid paying for and subjecting horses to poor dental work. As with anything else, the more horse owners and caretakers know about equine dentistry, the better
advocates they will be for their horses. At the very minimum, ask for recommendations from other horse people, in searching for a good/qualified EqDT and check out their training, skills and practices as much as possible. About the Author Dr. Hildebrand is a 1990 graduate of The Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech and the founder of The Midwest Equine Dental Academy, where he currently serves as director and chief veterinarian. For more information, please visit http://www.midwestequinedental.n et/, call (989) 772-2999 or email drronhildebrand@gmail.com.