no speculum or sedation is needed. Imagine going to
your own dentist and being told “I can tell everything
I need to know just by feeling your teeth. I don’t need
to look. No radiographs are necessary to evaluate
your tooth roots.” That is 19th century technology!
What type of equipment does your dental professional
use? Power tools make it possible to perform
procedures efficiently and quickly. They should only
be used by those individuals who are knowledgable
about skull anatomy, tooth anatomy and are legally
allowed to use them. If used properly there is little risk
of thermal damage. Some types of equipment spray
water on the teeth to cool them and have vacuum
systems to eliminate tooth dust and improve visibility.
In modifying the shape of the teeth, we are essentially
performing “Ondontoplasty” and this is a site
specific procedure. Use of appropriate equipment
ensures that only the tooth that needs to be reduced
is worked on. This is not possible using manual handfloats.
If they are not a veterinarian, is it legal for them to
perform equine dentistry? That depends on what
procedures they are performing and what state you
are in. In my many years of practice, I have met with
clients who were confused about their “equine dentist’s”
training and qualifications. In many cases, they
assumed that they were hiring a veterinarian who
was legally allowed to perform the procedures and
administer sedation. Many of the self-proclaimed
“equine dentists” have letters after their names that
seem to indicate some specialized education or
licensing. It can be very confusing.
To help eliminate the confusion here are some definitions:
A “Veterinarian” is a person who is licensed to engage
in surgery, acupuncture, dentistry, physical
therapy, radiology, reproduction, and other branches
or specialties of animal medicine. A veterinarian
has had a minimum of four years of undergraduate
education and four years of veterinary school.
They will have the letters “DVM” or “VMD” after their
name.
A “Certified Veterinary Technician” is someone that
has gone through a program to receive specialized
training and provides limited veterinary care supervised
by a veterinarian. They instruct clients, perform
laboratory testing, take radiographs, provide skilled
nursing care to animal patients, administer medications,
and assist in anesthesia and surgery. All of
these tasks are done at the direction of a veterinarian,
but may be performed with varying levels of supervision
as specified by the veterinary practice act.
A “Lay-floater” is a non-veterinarian who floats teeth.
They may or may not have attended an equine dentistry
school for varying periods of time.
More...
Before: periodontal pocket packed
with food.
After: pocket after cleaning with
air abrasion.
60 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
A periodontal
pocket filled with
dental impression
material
to prevent feed
packing.
A very sharp enamel point which has
caused sever mucosal ulceration.