Dog, cat and horse owners alike are taking more interest and proactive approaches to the dental health of their furry charges. With the increased interest in equine dentistry come questions about quality of care and the type of professional that delivers it.
Ten years ago, most of us horse owners just had our horses’ teeth floated once a year. Most recently after our barn was visited by a floater some months ago and then by a dentistry-practicing veterinarian, the concern for horse dental health became even clearer. After being treated by the floater and then examined later by the veterinarian, some horses still had hooks and one had a cracked tooth.
Floating can be performed by veterinarians as well as those who are not veterinarians. According to an article on the American School of Equine Dentistry website, floating only covers about 10% of a horse’s dental health care needs.
Why care about your horse’s teeth? Much like for people, tooth problems can lead to other health issues. For horses, dental problems can lead to increased risk of colic and show up as signs of neck and jaw stiffness. In short, dentistry problems can severely impact your horse’s performance and health.
A more expansive inspection of your horse’s dental health is necessary to help preserve his performance and health. Such procedures include balancing the horse’s mouth by balancing the molars or performing extractions. Often such procedures necessitate the use of sedation to relax the horse or antibiotics or x-rays.
How do you find a professional in equine dental health care? Not every veterinarian is educated enough to practice effectively equine dental care. Because there isn’t a regulating agency just yet on practicing equine dentistry, some veterinarians without the knowledge or expertise practice it as well as non-veterinarian dental technicians who may or may not be educated and experienced in the field. Much like selecting a farrier, finding a knowledgeable equine dental practitioner is up to the horse owner. But with more and more horse owners realizing that equine dental health care goes beyond the once-a-year float and with veterinary organizations realizing the need for qualified practitioners,
Consult with your veterinarian to see if he or she is skilled in advanced equine dentistry. Ask fellow horse people about who is qualified in your area to perform advanced equine dentistry. Go through word of mouth from people you trust. Many veterinarians work closely with veterinary dental technicians. When you find someone, ask them about their equine dental education and for a reference. You might also ask to view the standard procedure for a dental exam first. You can determine from seeing practitioners in action if you are comfortable with their expertise and whether you would have them handle your horse. You can also call the American Veterinary Dental Society at (800) 332-2837.
