Teeth - Vet v Dentist

[CPW]

I have always had my horses teeth done by the vet because he has to be sedated, however I am learning more about equine dentists and just wanted some advice as to which people use and why?

 

[jumpthemoon]

I use an EDT because they have much more training than vets in the dental area. I have also found that the vet hasn't always done a brilliant job (ie my horse still has sharp edges after he's been seen) but the EDT is brilliant.

I can understand why you'd want to use the vet though if the horse needs sedating. i suppose it depends if you're having any problems with horses teeth.

 

[milliepops]

I always use a dentist now. My mare always had to be sedated to have the vet to do her teeth. The dentist I use now is brilliant - firstly a specialist in teeth, and secondly a good horseman, so he can do her without sedation.

 

[JessPickle]

Our vets have one who is also a fully trained EDT, so solves the problem

 

[dressagecrazy]

I always have this same issue every 6 months, 2 of my horses are fine with the EDT but my Oldie hates him with a passion (typically he's the one who always needs the most work).

Last time i opted for the Vets due to having to have Oldie sedated, however im pretty sure i will do EDT this time & possible try Oldie on Sedalin rarther than get Vets out. I just Feel the EDT did do better work.

 

[DanielleP]

EDT. Used the vet once and found they didn't do as good a job as i would have hoped for. Not been disappointed with the EDT yet and have also found they have been helpful with bitting advice due to assessment of the shape of the mouth positioning of teeth for sesitive horses.

 

[CPW]

Thanks everyone, yours posts are really helpful!

I definately think it is worth getting an EDT out to my horse from what you have all said, not because I think he has problems with his teeth but just as a preventative measure. He is fussy with bits so advice on this would also be really useful from someone in the know, but maybe this is due to his teeth.......

Next question - any recommendations for someone that covers the Cambridgeshire area?

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

When I first got my mare, I had her teeth seen to by the vet. Like your horse, she had to be sedated. Had her teeth seen recently by an EDT on recommendation from a friend. He was absolutely brilliant with her. No sedation required, the mare remained quiet and calm throughout the examination all due to his wonderful handling of her.

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

I think it depends on your vet at the end of the day. Some vets are very good and thorough, and only requires 1 person called out ....
Some EDT are very good, but also some of their "flashy kit" such as power tools can cause damage to the tooth which won't show for a few months-years (yes it can take that long to show)

And also anyone with the kit can say they are an equine dentist......... but obviously most do the proper thorough qualifications, but there are those that don't and do a proper cowboy hack job of it. So Id always check the qualifications etc before using a EDT>

But Im just sticking up for the benefits of using a good vet here!

 

[KingCharles]

I use a vet , and im my case the vet pracicce i use are qualified in this area. He told me that the problem with these EDT's is that they generally coem to a yard, with 20 horses for example and will do work on all of them, regardless of if they need work doign or not, becasue its a money maker.

Our vet comes to the yard routeenly every month and you dont pay a call out fee for having him on these days. Our vets also run a dental clinic and will come out every second tuesday of the month to do dentals, with no call out fee for this either. My vet looked at Charles' teeth when he came out and said thye did not need doing, and he would check them again when he was vaccinated again. Unless i have any concerns. He aid that too many peopel have unneeded work done in there horses mouths, and it an cause more problems than good in some cases.

The good thign is that if he needed sedation my vet is qualified to do that at the same time. Also he can give my horse a health check whilst there.

 

[glitterfuzz]

I would always have a qualified Dentist. You wouldnt go to the doctors to have your teeth done would you?

Im lucky that my horse behaves for the dentist, however, our vets also have a qualified dentist. He qualified as a EDT then decided to do a veterinary degree so thats fab for those horses who need sedating.

Try and find out if your vets, or another local one, has one of their team qualified as a dentist.

 

[VictoriaEDT]

we dont all do damage to teeth using power!!! meant in jest - not a rant!

 

[only_me]

Definately get a dentist

Preferably one that dosent use power tools, hand rasping is the best way.

They are, after all the specalists in this area - would you go to your GP to get a filling?

 

[chrisnapthineEDT]

makes me wonder what opinion have been passed to scare everyone of power tools?? they certainly have there place for remedial type work,and older horses with less roots left ect...

 

[Donkeymad]

Unless a vet has undegone a teeth course I always stick to an EDT.

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

I wouldn't use a vet, unless he/she was a qualified EDT. The dentists are specialists in their field.

It's the same as when a vet dresses a foot, I've seen some pretty bad attempts by vets trying to take shoes off.