Dentist or vet??

[Tiddlypom]

I was adamant that my horses didn't need sedation to be floated, either, and they have paid the price .

Luckily the vet dentist I was referred on to is taking my 3 on permanently. He will float without sedation if owners insist, but he tells owners that he can't do as thorough a job without it. My 3 will continue to get their light sedation for floating from now on.

 

[ycbm]

Folks, using a qualified EDT is not, unfortunately, a guarantee that the horse is getting competent dental care.

Be very careful.

Nor is using EDT qualified vets.

There is good and bad in both.

 

[ycbm]

My experience of vets is that they gag the mouth open and complete the procedure in one. My experience of non vets is that they release the gag at least once, sometimes twice, during the procedure. I think this can only be good for the jaw joint.

My experience of sedation is that the gag is opened to the full width much more quickly than by EDTs. I prefer the EDT approach.

I don't know if this is the norm or just what I have experienced of 4 vets and 2 EDTs.
.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Nor is using EDT qualified vets.

There is good and bad in both.

I did specify looking for a good vet dentist .

 

[ycbm]

I did specify looking for a good vet dentist .

Not in the post I quoted.

A good EDT will do a better job than a bad Vet dentist. Can you tell us how to tell the good and bad apart before the horse has any obvious problems?
.

 

[expanding_horizon]

Folks, using a qualified EDT is not, unfortunately, a guarantee that the horse is getting competent dental care.

Be very careful.

This is true but using an equine vet also is not a guarantee that the horse is getting competent dental care.

Years ago my senior vet did my horses’ teeth with vaccinations, I was thinking both adult mature (not old horses). Was horrified when EDT showed me sharp edges causing ulceration at back only a few months later.

In terms of using a vet that’s done the advanced dental training, does anyone know how detailed this is and how frequently this needs to be refreshed for a practicing vet?

It used to be that in basic vet training there was something like one afternoon of training on horses teeth!

 

[Tiddlypom]

When I refer to a vet dentist, I mean an equine vet who now just does dentistry. Not an equine vet who does a bit of dentistry.

There's at least 2 not too far from me.

 

[expanding_horizon]

If you can get a vet that specialises in teeth that sounds ideal. But I’m not sure that a general vet that does teeth from time to time even with advanced dental qualification will be better than a really good EDT.

I use an EDT team that travel internationally doing a lot of professional’s horses. I am sure they are careful with gag use, and get fully to the back of the mouth. They are part horse whisperers too. Very much horse people. They advise on bit fitting / suitability too and have a wealth of experience.

I’ve had two bad experiences with other EDTs, one where horse wasn’t done, but I was charged. Was a large yard and I wasn’t there.

And one about 15 years ago where power tools were over used over time reducing teeth too much.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My experience of vets is that they gag the mouth open and complete the procedure in one. My experience of non vets is that they release the gag at least once, sometimes twice, during the procedure. I think this can only be good for the jaw joint.

My experience of sedation is that the gag is opened to the full width much more quickly than by EDTs. I prefer the EDT approach.

I don't know if this is the norm or just what I have experienced of 4 vets and 2 EDTs.
.

See this is a real issue for me I like my horses to have several breaks from the gag I use a really good dentist he takes his time and is mindful of letting them have breaks, his a bit eccentric but my horses and dog absolutely love him and they are generally wary of men.

My vet is a dental specialist and he has done them for me over the years and I do get him to check the mouth if ever I get him out for something, he knows who I use and has always said he does a good job and I've never had any problems.

I used someone else a few years back who was recommended and she was in such rush even though I told her I don't want them left for ages with there mouths wide open, I was fuming she didn't listen and just ploughed on through regardless.

Mine are generally good but they do fidget a bit so I just give them sedalin and it's enough to keep them happy and quiet.

 

[Bobthecob15]

100% vet! We had a terrible EDT who was adamant our horse needed 3 teeth extracted...didn't sit right with me so got the vet to check...and she was talking nonsense. I should have reported her to be honest. Horse is still absolutely fine!

 

[ycbm]

100% vet! We had a terrible EDT who was adamant our horse needed 3 teeth extracted...didn't sit right with me so got the vet to check...and she was talking nonsense. I should have reported her to be honest. Horse is still absolutely fine!

I believe that an EDT who isn't a vet can't legally extract teeth.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I believe that an EDT who isn't a vet can't legally extract teeth.

Correct. They can't.

 

[minesadouble]

It's very difficult as an owner to sort the wheat from the chaff.
There is an EDT who I will not name, who is hugely popular, I see him recommended everywhere. The majority of our yard used him, he was super patient, really good with the horses, nothing needed sedation and he encouraged owners to put their hands in the horse's mouth before and after to feel the difference.

A couple of months after his visit an elderly horse was having issues eating and a different EDT came out as it was an emergency. When he had the gag in he took a torch and showed the horse's owner the state of it's mouth, ulcerated and lacerated, clearly an ongoing issue. The owner was in tears when she saw the state of her horse's mouth.
Our new EDT is amazing, we have 2 days per year where he comes to the yard, with a vet who is a dental specialist. Between them they do around 12 horses per day. The cost is the same with or without sedation, it works really well for us as we have a big yard and everyone just books in together.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I will give the vet a try once. My lovely old dentist didn't use power tools. He would spend ages rasping, releasing the gag, singing to them. I used him for years. I was gutted when he retired. Then I used another recommended dentist. He didn't use power tools either. He seemed to do a good job. He became really hard to get hold of then I found out his was on the list of qualified dentists! Then, after many texts, I managed to get a visit from a well known group of dentists, they travel the world doing it. Got one visit then no reply time after time when trying to book 6 months later so gave up. It only took the chap 10 mins each horse. Then I got hold of another chap who took great delight in telling me one I had used wasn't properly qualified. He used power tools, was very quick and quite rough. My boys are really good to do but not sure they liked him very much, hence now looking for alternatives!

 

[Sossigpoker]

Regarding sedation, my other horses didn't need this , but current sensitive cob gets into a state , rears and barges ,.so I don't think the dentist can do as detailed a job with all that going on. So I'll be using Domosedan for the next appointment. Also avoids him getting so stressed and worked up.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

I booked a good EDT to do my horse's first ever check. EDT was calm and really good with horse, giving him a positive first experience but on inspecting he said it needed vet and a referral to a specialist clinic.

Vet agreed, referred to another specialist EDT for removal of some very large and awkward lower wolf teeth.

If you have a good EDT they will take good care of your horse but already have a good working relationship with the local vets and can tell you when you're better off with a vet

EDT didn't charge me for that first visit. He said there was work he could have done but as I was going to get a bill through the specialist EDT anyway, no point him doing stuff too. He still had a chat with the vet before she came to look and gave her his opinion and recommendation. She came out and after an inspection, agreed with first EDT.

 

[TPO]

I booked a good EDT to do my horse's first ever check. EDT was calm and really good with horse, giving him a positive first experience but on inspecting he said it needed vet and a referral to a specialist clinic.

Vet agreed, referred to another specialist EDT for removal of some very large and awkward lower wolf teeth.

If you have a good EDT they will take good care of your horse but already have a good working relationship with the local vets and can tell you when you're better off with a vet

EDT didn't charge me for that first visit. He said there was work he could have done but as I was going to get a bill through the specialist EDT anyway, no point him doing stuff too. He still had a chat with the vet before she came to look and gave her his opinion and recommendation. She came out and after an inspection, agreed with first EDT.

It is illegal for an EDT to do extractions AFAIK. Only vets can temove teeth.

 

[scats]

EDT for me, but I do get my horses done every 9 months as I believe 12 months is too long.
Both of my girls are dramatic for things like vets, but are both angels for my dentist (even Polly!). Never need sedating, happily stand and have it done with no problems.

 

[TPO]

EDT for me, but I do get my horses done every 9 months as I believe 12 months is too long.
Both of my girls are dramatic for things like vets, but are both angels for my dentist (even Polly!). Never need sedating, happily stand and have it done with no problems.

I was smug at my every 6-9mths and regular clean bills of health. EDT missed massive issues that vet spotted straight away then referred to the Equine Dental Clinic (who will be doing all of their teeth going forward).

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

It is illegal for an EDT to do extractions AFAIK. Only vets can temove teeth.

The specialist EDT is also a qualified vet and he runs clinics across the country using local vet practices for the procedures, sedation and recovery.

 

[TPO]

The specialist EDT is also a qualified vet and he runs clinics across the country using local vet practices for the procedures, sedation and recovery.

Gotcha.

I wouldn't call a vet an EDT. My new dental vet, who does what you describe, is "veterinary specialist in equine dentistry". All of the vets at that clinic have that title, they would never refer to themselves as EDTs.

 

[scats]

I was smug at my every 6-9mths and regular clean bills of health. EDT missed massive issues that vet spotted straight away then referred to the Equine Dental Clinic (who will be doing all of their teeth going forward).

My EDT did the dentistry at Leahurst for many, many years, so I’m pretty sure they are confident in his abilities. He’s done my horses for over 25 years and no vet has ever picked up on any issues (and I have had several checked for various reasons- like Polly’s head twitching, Millie’s head shaking etc).

I can think of, however, a number of EDTs that I wouldn’t let anywhere near my horses.

 

[spottypony90]

Vet. As sometimes mine needs sedating too so it makes sense. However I did use a very good qualified EDT for many years but it just became way too expensive with more horses and I’ve found the vets to do a good job and I discovered they were being done every six months and vet has said they are fine to be done once a year - its just as bwd to take too much off as it is not enough and I find the Vets use the power tools a bit more sparingly!

 

[expanding_horizon]

It's very difficult as an owner to sort the wheat from the chaff.
There is an EDT who I will not name, who is hugely popular, I see him recommended everywhere. The majority of our yard used him, he was super patient, really good with the horses, nothing needed sedation and he encouraged owners to put their hands in the horse's mouth before and after to feel the difference.

A couple of months after his visit an elderly horse was having issues eating and a different EDT came out as it was an emergency. When he had the gag in he took a torch and showed the horse's owner the state of it's mouth, ulcerated and lacerated, clearly an ongoing issue. The owner was in tears when she saw the state of her horse's mouth.
Our new EDT is amazing, we have 2 days per year where he comes to the yard, with a vet who is a dental specialist. Between them they do around 12 horses per day. The cost is the same with or without sedation, it works really well for us as we have a big yard and everyone just books in together.

Slightly confused if owners are putting hands in and looking into back of mouth how can back teeth ulceration be missed?

 

[Bobthecob15]

I believe that an EDT who isn't a vet can't legally extract teeth.

She wasn't going to, she insisted on a referral to a vet half way across the country to remove them...I refused and asked for a second opinion as the horse had no symptoms whatsoever of needing 3 teeth out. I was right, he didn't need them doing. She then got the hump when she learnt I'd not taken her advice and started messaging me saying I was making mistake...so unprofessional

 

[hock]

Dentist everytime unless the vet is a specialist in dental.

 

[J&S]

I have my Vet do teeth. The old mare is quite difficult and needs sedation but companion pony is quite happy with out. (however she has a reaction to the vacs which we do at the same time so needs bute!)

 

[Goldenstar]

My second experience of a bad EDT was so shocking .
I do know that if the same was done by a vet you would have much much more come back against them and the practise.

 

[Red-1]

With Jay-Man, I did both. He had the vet at vaccination time and an EDT in the intervening 6 month appointment. Neither thought the other did a bad job.

I think the most important is to get someone who is good at it! The worst person I know was a vet, who then stopped general practice to become a dentist. I don't know what tale she tells people for her reasoning behind that, but the truth is that she had so many complaints at the vet practice that she had no choice. There again, there is another lady who was a general vet and who became a dentist for personal (health) reasons, who is an excellent dentist.

The bad one, I wrote about on a different thread. Someone booked her as she was a vet and therefore had to be good. We tried to dissuade her from using that person, but she was embarrassed to cancel. She did cancel the posh horse but still had the lady for the pony. She filed away... at the tongue, which exploded in blood.

@Pearlsasinger reported a similar experience, and I do believe she is in the general area that the lady I know practices in...

It is like saddlers and trainers. Some have all the qualifications yet are rubbish. Some have nothing and are excellent.

I would go by recommendation. I also have a look in the mouths with a torch when they are gagged open, and also have a feel. I believe I would notice any ulcers.

 

[Cocorules]

Vet with sedation. My vet has specialised in dentistry and doesn't do anything else but teeth.