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HORSE Magazine
Vets versus equine dental technicians
Thursday 9 October 2008
When your horse needs to have his teeth checked, who do you ring – your vet, or your equine dental technician?
Traditionally, vets were the best placed profession to rasp horse's teeth. However, a generation or so ago, it was fair to say that vets in general were making a poor job of this, which led to a surge in unqualified equine dentists.
There are now many good EDTs who have passed the relevant exams and been accredited by the British Equine Veterinary Association. Look for EDTs who have joined the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT).
In addition, many vets now have a keen interest in the subject. All vets are trained and qualified to perform equine dentistry, and many have been on further courses to improve their competency in this area.
Whether you opt for a vet or an EDT, there is certainly a minimum standard that you should expect from anyone involved with equine dentistry. They should have a set of good clean sharp rasps, a full mouth gag, a head torch and a mirror. You should expect them to do a full examination of your horse's mouth, pointing out any abnormalities, and explaining how they can be corrected.
This is an extract from a veterinary article on equine dentistry. To read the feature in full, buy the November issue of Horse, on sale from 9 October
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