Dentist - Word of mouth or qualified?

[mrsted]

I have recently moved to the south west and I'm looking for an EDT. Problem - my new vet has recommended an unqualified EDT over BEVA qualified ones, and asking around has left me more confused; someone either loves or loathes every name on my list! Should I go with my vet's recommendation? HELP!!!

 

[sun-shine]

Recommendation is better in my opinion You might find they are qualified with a different body, such as world wide. Nevertheless unqualified does not a bad dentist make, regardless of what certain organisations would have you think

 

[VictoriaEDT]

Both! surely?!

 

[arwenplusone]

Both! surely?!

This exactly ^^^

I would NOT use someone unqualified (however good, sorry). Would you use an unqualified farrier? (slightly different I know, due to the law, but still).

I'd be looking for someone local & qualified who came with a good reputation.

(ETA - just because he is recommended by your vet doesn't make him good. Vets don't always have a good understanding of dentistry IMO )

 

[mrsted]

Thanks for replies! Yes, in an ideal world I could have both, but in this case it seems I can't!

Re farriers, people DO use 'unqualified' trimmers, and as I understand it there is no law to prevent them or edt's from practicing subject to what they're doing ie not shoeing or extractions, big overgrowths etc.

Vet is very good, specialist equine, also came recommended. He did have reasons for recommending this EDT (woman by the way Victoria!) which seem to match what I want for my horse.

It's just so bl@@dy HARD moving somewhere new!

I think I'm going to go with my vets recommendation, having done a bit more digging on the yard today it seems one of the qualified EDTs can be very rough when handling horses. I'd rather have a nicer person without a bit of paper I think.