vet or equine dentist?

[esports]

these days we dont need a vet for everything, just wondered what your opinions are on equine dentists (reputable of course

have or do you use one, would you use one again or would you just stick to your vet?

 

[rema]

I have always used a Dentist.I prefer using him to using the vets.Most of the vets that are sent out to me are usually small animal vets that dont know one end of a rasp to another!.

 

[Sarah_Jane]

I would happily use a equine dentist as they do it all the time they are probably better than vets.

Saying that as my mare needs sedating I use a local vet who is very good.

 

[Louby]

After having to get a vet to do and put right what the dentist had supposedly already done, I'd have the vet everytime

 

[Hettie]

I'd have a well reputable dentist, with good references over a vet every time! Vets really don't spend that long learning about equine dentistry..... Whilst for dentists it's the focus of their entire qualification... But they can't do dental surgery nor sedate of course

 

[fizz-tally]

way i see it,you dont go to the doctor for toothache do you

dentist for teeth

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Dentist provided recommended.

 

[Jemayni]

One of my horses has to be sedated, so it is a waste of money to have a dentist. I do use a vet which has specialist dental training as well!

 

[parsley]

The vet I use specialises in equine dentistry. I used to have a dentist but is was a nuisuance having to have the vet out for sedation. Now the vet turns up and can do electric work by himself and horsey is currently at the vets for sinus work related to dental problems - so if its the right vet I would chose a vet!

 

[belly]

Equine dentist definately.......have to confess he is better looking than my vet too, ooh and Irish......sorry!!!

 

[samp]

I use vet as mine needs sedaying, also my vet regularly goes on courses in equine dentistry.

 

[Chex]

I use a dentist. I used to use the vet, but everytime they would say his teeth were fine and didn't need any work.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I had one equine dentist out but I would never use him again. he didn't use the gag to keep the mouth open he had a feel & then in went the rasp & made a right mess of the inside of my horse's mouth...& he was recommended.

I use another now, he uses the gag & is alot more careful....he's also half the cost of the other masochist

 

[Sparklet]

Dentist made a hatchet job of my pony's teeth so I would always use a vet with dental training now. She needs sedating anyway so the cost ends up being cheaper.

 

[lucysnapshot]

Iv only ever used a dentist and after a one who didnt bother doing back teeth iv now found a lovely man who is great! would consider vet if my horse needed to be sedated

 

[sallyf]

We use a vet but ours trains and examines EDT's so get the best of both worlds.

 

[Tempi]

my EDT is the dentist for our local equine practice!!

But hes not actually a vet, he is an EDT

 

[PhenominalCat]

My EDT is pretty good.

 

[flyingfeet]

Vet for me - our Vet is fab for most jobs and getting him saves money as I can get them jabbed at the same time.

I am wary of equine dentists that come without a word of mouth recommendation.

 

[luckilotti]

always use an equine dentist - my reasoning - they do the job day in day out so therefore should be more experienced - however - needs to be a fully qualified dentist and not one of the cowboys that are out there!

 

[wattsy]

depends entirely on how good the dentist is! we tried a few over the years and frankly were not that impressed. But...also had various vets do them and were not happy with them either!!! We've had dentists that don't use a spec, don't want you anywhere near the stable, and 'talk' and 'listen' to the horses (very weird..), and ones that missed points etc, and we've had vets that also didn't do a good job, one or two that got very rough with the horses and one that wanted to sedate everything. After literally years of trying to find a good one we now have Garry Draper, a qualified EDT (actually teaches as well now). One of our horses has always been very scared of the dentist but Garry has a wonderful bedside manner, not getting uptight and taking his time with him until now he is quite happy to be seen to. Garry comes every 6 months, will not charge if he doesn't need to rasp, and is a thoroughly nice bloke. He travels all over the world so is a bit hard to get hold of which is why we generally book him a long way in advance. So for me, the answer is a Good EDT every time!

 

[berry]

Dentist always used to use vet but it was so expensive as he always said she needed to be sedated, my friend had dentist out one day and my mare was due to be done so asked if he could look at her if she would let him, she went to rear and spin but he just held her down got the gag on and bish bosh bang all done. She has never been sedated for teeth again.

 

[eekmon]

I used to use the vet but was reccomended a dentist and have never looked back. My horse is nervous of vets so would ALWAYS need sedating to have his teeth done. But my dentist was so sympathetic ( and did not smell of vet!) he was fine with him and now does not bat an eyelid. Also make sure your chosen EDT is a member of the 'British Association of Equine Dental Technicians' as said before there are lots of quacks out there.