teeth

[dcp]

My horses teeth need some attention who is better to do it a vet or a dentist? And if dentist just how hard is it to come by one in your area? (Edin) :)

[Peace]

I'd have a dentist do it - over here at least vets only get about two weeks training during vet school, and in my experience really don't know a lot about teeth.

I think over there you have to get a vet to do the sedation, though - if I were you, I'd call the vet and ask for his or her recommendation for a good dentist. Since dentists and vets have to work together, I'm sure the vet will know of some.

[katieB]

An EDT is your best bet, like in the US vets have little dentistry teaching. The only problem with Equine Dentists is, as you say, how hard it is to get hold of them and when you do get hold of them how long you have to wait.

[nicolaj]

Another problem with an EDT, if your horse needs to be sedated for some reason, then you need to have a vet out to adminster it and so that means another appointment, more expense, time from work etc.

Our yard normally has and EDT, but he seems to have vansihed! We had one of the equine partners from our local vets out in the end, which was useful as a couple needed a sedative and he was able to do the work there and then.

'Swings and roundabouts' as they say. HAve come across some bad EDTs as well.

[Jessey]

I have always used my vet, he was great and did a wonderful job (an EDT who did a check up cause he was there when we needed it said he couldn't fault him) but having moved and get new vet to do mine reacently I will not be having him do it again, both my boys who have never needed sedating had to be sedated and having felt the teeth afterwardds I am not happy that he made a very good job of it.
There are two EDT's I have been recomended, both have 3 months waiting lists!!!!!

J x

[Bay Mare]

Depends on the vet, depends on the EDT (they're NOT dentists unless they have qualified as a human dentist).

I was always very anti EDTs because I wanted to train as one and found out how crappy their education was! Ok, it's changing now but at that time and until fairly recently the course was a whole TWO WEEKS! Yes, I trained for 5 years for my job and someone who is messing with my horse's teeth can have done as little as two weeks! As I said, things are changing for the better and hopefully the standards will be fairly high.

The same for vets, I would want a vet who had done equine dentistry post grad not one who had just done the bit that they do in their vet course.

If you do go for an EDT (and I use one now who is excellent so I'm not completely anti!) remember that there are certain things that they can't do. It may have changed now but they certainly couldn't use 'power tools'. They cannot give sedation or drugs so if your horse needs to be sedated you need to get a vet in anyway.

Ask for recommendations and don't be afraid to ask about qualifications and experience!

[Peace]

If you do go for an EDT (and I use one now who is excellent so I'm not completely anti!) remember that there are certain things that they can't do. It may have changed now but they certainly couldn't use 'power tools'. They cannot give sedation or drugs so if your horse needs to be sedated you need to get a vet in anyway.

In this country, horse dentists are allowed to use power tools. They can't administer a sedative, though - or at least can't charge for it. My barnmates and I get together and buy a whole bottle of the sedative and one of us administers it. We have another dentist who insists on the vet administering the sedative - since that kicks the price up another $50.00/horse:eek: I don't use that one.;)

I wouldn't use a dentist that I didn't know something about, certainly. Like farriers - at least in this country - pretty much anyone can claim to be one. I like to see the person's work first, or ask someone I trust.:)

[Pink's lady]

Alex scott is really good, and very patient with the horses (especially when Tia kept rearing on him :rolleyes:. His number is here (http://www.ruralni.gov.uk/livestock/equine/goods_and_services/services/dental.htm)

[eventerbabe]

If your vet is qualified then use them. we are spoilt in that all the horse vets at the practise i use are thoroughly trained to do dental work. we did use an EDT a good few years back but tbh he was pretty c**p. missed the major hooks on bonnie's lower jaw. was not impressed.

[dcp]

I've booked for my vet to come out in a couple of weeks. How will I know if they don't do a good job?

[eventerbabe]

my vet talks me through what he's doing. he makes me get in there and have a good old feel at any sharp bits etc and he explains exactly what he's doing. i then get to have a feel when he's done. do you know if your vet has been on a specific dental training course?

[dcp]

Don't know what course. I'll ma\ke sure I'm a pain and keep asking him to tell me what he's doing.

[Pink's lady]

Vets do a lot of training rasping teeth :rolleyes: it's about all we ever get to do :rolleyes:

He should have good look in the mouth first, feeling for sharps. To do so he'll need to use a mouth vice to keep the mouth open. He may also sedate Charlie if he's bouncing about - it makes it kinder and easier than him getting all stressed.

Once he's had a really good feel, both top and bottom (arm up to the elbow in mouth ;)), he'll use on on the rouhgest rasps to take the biggest edges off - need to turn it in all directions. He'll then used a finer rasp for smoothing them off. Another feel is essential, and he'll probably re-rasp. Once happy all edges are smooth, he'll rinse the mouth out. Then charge you a fortune ;)

Remember to ask him what condtion his teeth are in, and if he had any sharp edges. Also how often he should be done. If Charlie's got poor mouth confirmation (i.e casuing sharps) then he may need done every 6months. But usually it's a year.

[Nookster]

I used a EDT for my boy and wasn't impressed.

Friend used Vet and she was really good. Also provided a full mouth wash etc and advised about gumm disease as it had gone un noticed.