Horses teeth - do you use a vet or an equine dentist?

T

Tayto

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 January 2013
Messages
521
Location
Bonny Scotland
Visit site
As the title says really.

I have only had my horse a few months so interested to hear peoples thoughts on vets doing horses teeth vs an equine dentist?

I have been using the vet however noticed a sign at the yard saying there was an equine dentist attending and got me thinking........
 
I use either, generally opt for dentist but had trouble getting one out when I kept horses at home and just got the vet in the end. Vets are more expensive though by the time you pay call out and they prefer to sedate as norm.
 
I would generally get the dentist out. However if I required the teeth doing urgently, I would get the vet out, as they can often come quicker than the dentist.

However in your case I'd go with the dentist that's coming - they often give discounts to groups on the same yard.
 
When we missed the dentist, our vet did their teeth after he had given them their jabs. We later got the dentist back out and he noted what a bad job the vet had done rasping to much! So now always get the dentist. :)
 
There are some vets that have trained separately and are fully qualified Equine dentists as well. I would use one of those vets but not my regular vet unless an emergency.

I always use dentist. The way I look at it is, as part of their training, a family GP learns about dentistry, but you wouldn't go to your GP to have dental work done. :)
 
JingleSmells said:
There are some vets that have trained separately and are fully qualified Equine dentists as well. I would use one of those vets but not my regular vet unless an emergency.

I always use dentist. The way I look at it is, as part of their training, a family GP learns about dentistry, but you wouldn't go to your GP to have dental work done. :)
Click to expand...


That is a very good point!
 
There are 'dentists' and 'dentists' - I could do a 3 day course and call myself a dentist - that kind I'd avoid like the plague!

A proper dentist qualified in the British Equine Veterinary Association / British Veterinary Dental Association examination and a member of the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians, worth their weight in gold, not that many of them so be prepared to wait for an appt, but I prefer an expert and a vet - by definition, has to be a generalist.
 
I now use a dentist. Had a shock this summer with my horse, who the vet had to come every four months to do teeth for as I was told he had diastemas due to displaced teeth. He was always head shaky which I put down to being an exracer, and went through stages of quidding that my vet temporarily sorted next time he was out.

My YO was told at a lesson that her horses teeth were awful (same vet) and she booked a very good dentist, so I decided to have him take a look at geoffs. He had me feel his teeth, and there were awful ridges - no displaced teeth, just huge gaps between ridges.

Got on him next day, and he was the softest he has ever been. Has been lovely and soft and round since. Dentist said it will take a few sessions to completely sort, but he will get back to six monthly appointments eventually. He also sorted his bit seat and spent more time on the fronts than my vet ever did. Was very surprised by the difference a dentist made to my horse, and wouldn't go back now!

Like has been said your regular vet is like a GP - I expect them to refer me to specialists for everything else, why not get a proper dentist?
 
Vet but a dentally trained one , after one bad and very unprofessional experiance with a EDT ( never trust one to tell you teeth are a disgrace and never been done because one I know can't even recognise work he did two weeks earlier ) and another which left a wonderful horse maimed for life I will never never ever let anyone but a dentally trained vet near one of my horses.
once could be put down to bad luck two was too two many never again.
 
I use my vet who is also a qualified dentist. A lot more vets have a dual qualification now. I like the fact that they can sedate when needed and can come out when you need them and I often time teeth checks with their annual vaccinations. Whether vet or dentist I would check they are qualified as a dentist.
 
my EDT is also a vet and she's wonderful. Otherwise I have always used my vet-the only EDT that I trusted in the area had an 18month waiting list. Working as a freelance groom in the area, you learn what farriers/dentists/vets/body workers to use and avoid.
 
I use an EDT, but a properly qualified and very experienced one who has very extensive equipment worth I think in the region of about £15k+ (much more than just a few rasps) and who demonstrably keeps up his continuing professional development. As others have said, it is very important to use a fully qualified EDT. I also have the vet on hand to sedate if necessary so that a full and thorough job can be done by the EDT, this makes it expensive (I have 5 horses) but I believe it is worth it.

I had a bad experience letting a previous vet (who had the additional dental qualification/training) do my horses teeth - that vet never had anything other than a few rasps and when the new vet examined one of my horse's mouths he was shocked at how bad a state the mouth was in (treatments had been done every 6-9 months) and immediately said that extensive remedial work was necessary by a properly qualified EDT because it was far too serious for him to try and sort out with his limited equipment. The poor horse had to have extensive remedial work done which luckily is all dealt with now but I felt very bad at the time for not realizing that sub standard treatment had been given.
 
My vet in a recent discussion said use a dentist! But a properly qualified one, not the couple of weeks in America course sort.
 
A vet that is also a qualified dentist.

I used a 'proper' dentist until a couple of years ago when my vet had a look into my horses mouth. He had been losing weight for some time. His front teeth were all fine and done well. His back teeth were horrendous and clearly hadn't been done for the time I'd had him - the edges were like razors, he had so many ridges which were cutting his gums and cheeks. She let me have a feel and I nearly cried as I couldn't believe I hadn't realised. Luckily for my conscience there was no way I could have seen or felt that far back without proper equipment. She sedated him so she could properly sort them out which took some time. Basically the dentist hadn't been doing his back teeth, presumably because he wasn't sedated. Instead of telling me that he needed to be sedated for his back teeth he rather bizarrely just left them. I have used the vet ever since although I would be happy to use another EDT if I was recommended another - I'd just ask my vet to check!
 
Its horses for courses. Would you ask your GP to put a filling in or extract a tooth NO so why ask a vet ,who in many cases is an equine GP to do the same.

It may cost more but horses cost money to keep. I would never skimp on dental work ,shoeing/ trimming or vaccinations or care.

I would always get a fully qualified EDT to do my horses. My 2 mares are done every 6 months and my 3 geldings get done every 12 months. I book the following appointment at the same time as the visit. If I have any reason to call my EDT I can be assured that the job will be done properly and quickly.

I the past I have had a vet do them (Before there were EDT's) and only realize that the EDT does a better job.
 
I simply don't believe that using a fully qualified equine vet with a huge amount of experiance and thousands of pounds worth of kit is skimping.
My vet an equine specialist trained by one of the most respected professors of equine dentistry to do horses teeth has access to said professor for advice and quick referral ( the proff got the job of trying to salvage the situation with the mare ruined by the EDT ) this vet is in charge of overseeing every aspect of my horses care she can take a big overview of everything going on with the horses.
The thing is I trust my vet I will never trust another EDT.
 
As a first time horse owner, its not something I had ever thought about and when I bought my girl I just used the vet as this is what the owners of my loan horse used to do. Having thought about it, my gut tells me to find a reputable dentist as after watching the vet do her teeth I am not convinced she really checked them out properly. Also she has a tendancy to pull the reins out of my hands and I am wondering if it is due to discomfort in her mouth (despite my vet saying there are no problems). She does this with my riding instructor too so I dont think it is me being un-sympathetic with my hands.

Thanks for all the feedback - off to do some research to see who has a good rep that will come up to my area.
 
My EDT also has thousands of pounds worth of kit and many years of experience. She works closely with my vet and nutritionist.

Yes I have seen bad EDT's with just a rasp or two that spend 5 minutes with the horse and charge a fortune.
 
Goldenstar said:
I simply don't believe that using a fully qualified equine vet with a huge amount of experiance and thousands of pounds worth of kit is skimping.
My vet an equine specialist trained by one of the most respected professors of equine dentistry to do horses teeth has access to said professor for advice and quick referral ( the proff got the job of trying to salvage the situation with the mare ruined by the EDT ) this vet is in charge of overseeing every aspect of my horses care she can take a big overview of everything going on with the horses.
The thing is I trust my vet I will never trust another EDT.
Click to expand...

But the 'fully qualified' part is the important part. Having done vet school myself, the training on dentistry is very limited for a standardly qualified vet!! A vet that has gone on further and gained dentistry qualifications is the best of both worlds, but the important part is the dentistry qualifications. I too know a few EDTs I wouldn't have anywhere near my horse, but a bog standard vet versus a fully qualified EDT is no competition - the EDT will be far more expert in teeth. However a trained vet that is also a trained EDT cis a different kettle of fish - but it's still the dentistry qualification you are looking at.

Personally I have been let down by several different vet practices, not only with dentistry but with lameness problems etc where I wish I had asked to be referred to specialists right off. I'm now of the opinion after a lot of bad experiences that a local, regular vet is a GP - I wouldn't use them for teeth, and equally wouldn't use them for anything major veterinary either - I'd want a referral. Maybe the quality of vet is poorer up here, but that has been my experience!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top