03/28/2024
Applies to the US as well. It matters who you trust with your horse’s dental care.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/EDQU5CZTHtwEdAK5/?mibextid=WC7FNe
What on earth…?? So here is the problem with the equine dental industry in the UK, and also worldwide. Horse owners do not know who is properly qualified and well trained to perform dentistry on their horses.
It costs a fortune to own and look after a horse as anyone who has a horse knows only too well, and dentistry is an extremely important but usually only small part of that overall package of care. It’s only once or twice a year, and that is the opportunity to make sure everything is in order, properly balanced and there are no problems lurking. If treatment is needed, then that treatment (and also the routine treatment) must be performed by someone with appropriate legal status and qualification.
In this case, ‘treatment’ was carried out by an individual without the appropriate training or qualifications: the result? The horse has not been able to eat for months since this ‘remedial’ work was performed - I’ll leave it to those that know to comment on this - if you know, you know. I’ll add some comments later but suffice it to say this is NOT specialist advanced remedial work as it was described. Individuals must not described themselves as ‘occlusal specialists’, ‘remedial specialists’, ‘natural balancing specialist dentists’ etc etc - the word ‘specialist’ is a protected term for RCVS/EBVS veterinary specialists but sadly is used by some to confuse and trick horse owners into thinking they have qualifications and experience way beyond what is actual reality.
We will do another post, and an upcoming video and podcast on how to choose the right person for the right job but meanwhile please check - routine dentistry yes an experienced vet or qualified EDT (BAEDT/WWAED) - advanced work for problems (eg diastemas or gaps between the teeth as in the case in the photo) - this must be undertaken under sedation by an appropriately qualified vet with preferably Advanced Practitioner status or better Specialist qualification - not a dentist under vet supervision, not a dentist, not a balancing specialist, not a farrier, not the tooth man, not the tooth fairy, not the osteopath with a tooth rasp etc etc. The horse is the one that suffers.
