EDT

[Britestar]

Most upset. Have use the same EDT for about 7 years, never had a problem.

Last time he came, had a new pony which noticed had been quidding. mentioned it too him, and when he looked, he said he had a tooth at odd angle but didn't see a problem. Rasped and said he was fine. Also mentioned that 29yr old was quidding and asked if could check his geratric diastema. Again said all fine.

Noticed that pony was no better after a week, so called Vet. Equine specialist came and said the 'wonky tooth' was growing in at an angle and rubbing his tongue, leaving ulcers. Also said had large diastema behind that tooth, and he would need a fair bit of work to sort it out. Took two sessions, but was done, and pony now seems ok.

Then noticed that the old horse was starting to quid again, and not so able to eat hay/ haylage. Also loosing a bit of condition. Equine specialist returns and discovers EDT has over rasped the molars so they are no longer touching = no grinding. No wonder poor boy is struggling. So today he's had to have his inscisors rasped down so his molars can actually grind against each other, and give him a chance to actually grind his long forage.

Most unhappy, and have decided all horses will now only have their teeth done by the Vet.

Sorry for rant.

 

[Equi]

Its all down to one or two experiences isnt it. Mine was the opposite, had vet out for teeth and jabs - very well respected vet. Puts the rasp in, horse grabs it and pulls it out of his hand, he declares the teeth are okay anyway. EDT out a week later cause i was not happy, turns out he had massive hooks, a laceration on his cheek and ulcers on the other.

 

[wiglet]

Some years ago I moved to a new yard. The YO arranged EDT visits and was very keen that I use her EDT. I agreed this would be fine - no reason to doubt her choice. YO handled the first time - all ok. Second time, I was there and I wasn't impressed - he had one rasp - just one which he put into my horses mouth. After 30 seconds she put her head in the air and objected. He then announced she was done... He went round the yard and did exactly the same for all the others.

I expressed my concerns to the YO but she didn't wanna know. She had known the dentist years and I was labelled a trouble maker so... I'm ashamed to say, for an easy life, at the next six monthly visit, I let him treat my horse once more.

She started quidding a few weeks after this visit so I got a baedt registered dentist out to her. Her mouth was in a bad way - lots of hooks, sore spots and the back of her mouth had not been rasped at all. EDT had to do some work with power tools under sedation from vet and it took two more six monthly visits to get her mouth in order again.

The original 'dentist' has since retired but I heard his trademark was not rasping the back teeth correctly... If at all.

OP - don't beat yourself up - you put your trust in a professional... Who turned out to be anything but professional but, you've put things right now.

Everyone else... Make sure your EDT is registered with the correct association.

 

[Goldenstar]

I had one bad and one disastrous experience with EDT's since then only the vets touch my horses mouths .

 

[EventingMum]

Everyone has their own opinion on dentist v vet. Personally having seen how long and hard my son had to train to become a qualified EDT and how little equine dentistry training many vets do I am firmly in the camp of using a qualified and registered EDT. That said some vets do undergo further training in equine dentistry and some sit the BEVA/BVDA exam the same as EDTs do. Remember if your EDT is a member of the BAEDT they will have undergone training, sat and passed a rigorous theory and practical exam for which they will have produced a portfolio of 300 cases as well as references. They will also have insurance and have undertaken regular CPD and there is an official complaints procedure available if necessary. Sadly some people, even well known "names", who call themselves EDTs have had limited training either in the UK or abroad and aren't answerable to any governing body and don't necessarily have insurance however hopefully the law will soon be changed to address this issue.

 

[Magnetic Sparrow]

I use an EDT. He is qualified and always talks me through what he has done, why, and explains any issues he can't resolve.

It is such a shame that Britestar had this experience, but I guess you get good and bad EDTs like you get good and bad vets or farriers. If the problem has taken 7 years to crop up maybe the EDT has lost his mojo.