Did you know your horse needs a dentist? 

This is one of the most important and most forgotten about aspects of equine ownership.

Routine dental care is essential to your horse’s health and well being. Humans have modified the horse’s diet through domestication and confinement and have not selectively bred for dental quality and considerations, so we must intervene to keep the horse’s mouth healthy and balanced. With proper dental care your horse will be more comfortable so he may perform better, will utilize his feed more efficiently, and even live longer. Many behavior issues start with a sore mouth, and the equine has no way to tell you it hurts except to act out or misbehave.

 There are many common dental problems horses may suffer from:

·        Sharp points on molars causing lacerations, cuts or sores on cheeks and tongue and discomfort while eating and chewing.

·        Retained caps from baby teeth

·        Discomfort caused by bit contact with wolf teeth

·        Hooks forming on molars causing chewing difficulties

·        Long and/or sharp canines interfering with the bit or tongue

·        Lost or broken teeth

·        Mouth sores or abscesses

·        Infected teeth and/or gums

 Recognizing these problems at an early stage can prevent infection, behavior issues and long term treatment and expenses.

Some signs are more obvious than others. Indicators of dental problems can include, but not limited to:

Health Concerns:

·        Dropping of feed from their mouth while eating, difficulty chewing, or excessive salivation

·        Loss of weight or utilization of feeds

·        Large or undigested feed stuffs in manure

·        Choke accompanied with possible aspiration

·        Foul odor or traces of blood from mouth

·        Nasal discharge or odor, swelling of face, sinuses, jaw, mouth or cheeks.

Behavior:

·        Head tilting or tossing

·        Resisting the bit or bridle

·        Rearing or bucking

·        Poor performance, failing to turn, yield, or stop

 Veterinarians are an excellent choice for equine dentistry, but one can also look into a specialist, which would be your equine dentist, one who has been certified and/or practicing dentistry. 

What credentials should one look for when hiring an equine dentist?

  One would be well-advised to seek a practitioner who has done a lot of thorough equine dentistry.  Certification in an organization such as the IAED is a good indication, for one thing.  see www.iaeqd.org

Get a vet recommendation or qualified equine professionals opinion.

Ask for references, several of them, and follow up by calling them.

 Another source of good practitioners:  see the directory at www.horsedentistry.org

 Don’t be fooled by initials and memberships:

Jane Doe, EqDT

Member of IAED, VFTRA, AQHA, ApHC, APHA, TWBEA

What do these this mean? Are they just initials to make it sound impressive? Well are you impressed? Let me explain what this means:

EqDT = Equine Dental Technician

IAED-International association of equine dentistry

AQHA-American quarter horse association

ApHC-Appaloosa horse club

APHA-American paint horse association

TWBEA-Tennessee walking horse breeders and exhibitors association

All of these clubs are easy enough to join for $30-$50 a year, anyone could do it online if they wanted to-this does not give any qualifications for ability or experience. 

IAED certified is the key word, which is what most EqD's recommend as the FIRST thing to look for in a dentist 

CEqD - Certified Equine Dentist with at least 300 hours of training.
ACEqD - Advanced Certified Equine Dentist with at least 500 hours of training.
PCEqD - Principle Certified Equine Dentist with at least 1000 hours of training.
MCEqD - Master Certified Equine Dentist with at least 1000 hours of training. 

 ASED-American school of equine dentistry (EqDT)

From their web site: Equine Dentistry Membership Application
~ Secure Application Form ~

If you would like to join the IAED or renew your IAED membership, please fill out this form, along with your payment information. You may also pay by check or money order by filling out this form and snail-mailing a check/money order for $100 for yearly dues to the address below.

Members will receive a newsletter of upcoming and recent events, and a listing on our published membership list. Membership is open to any interested persons…basically; just pay your 100 bucks and you are in.

     See www.iaeqd.org for CODE OF CONDUCT and what Members should do: 

Keep in mind, membership does NOT mean certified.

IAED/C
Basic Certification:

Awarding of certification indicates that these members can work to a standard the IAED believes is currently recognized as acceptable in the practice of equine dentistry.

These are technician or veterinarian members who have voluntarily passed through at least one certification testing (a graded written examination that tests overall technical knowledge and depth of understanding the relevant concepts involved along with multiple skull evaluations demonstrating the ability to recognize and evaluate anatomical features or disorders that deserve treatment; there is also a practical exam that evaluates and grades their demonstrated abilities and skill level).

They are able to remove points, hooks, ramps, etc., establish balanced arcades and create or restore appropriate occlusion, remove caps and wolf teeth, maintain incisors, canines, and install bit seats.

http://www.equinedentistry.com/

 IAED/CA
Certified Advanced:

Advanced Certification indicates the member has passed at least two examinations, one at each level, and can work to a standard set by the IAED denoting the ability to make appropriate adjustments that will ultimately correct or compensate for advanced mouth disorders, such as those found in damaged, deteriorated or chronically problematic cases.

Advanced procedures include required extractions, correction or compensation for incorrect occlusal table angles, and rehabilitative shaping or restoration of teeth to obtain / maintain the maximum possible occlusion and lateral excursion of the mandible, in order to optimize mastication comfort, and to prevent or delay further tooth loss.

The examination criteria for CA members are critically judged and justly more exacting in the practical application. Their documented performance is expected to be at the highest level in this field.

 IAED/Ex
Certified Examiner:

CA members can proceed further, if they so choose, by participating in at least 3 more testing procedures as probationary examiners. In these instances and with oversight by head examiners, they evaluate the test horses, judge and grade the testing candidates’ work, and make any necessary corrections to work performed by those candidates.

This level requires a verifiable commitment, in time, effort and expense for the member; it is at this level that the standards of professionalism are set and maintained for all of our association’s membership certifications.

Remember; always ask for references and proof of certifications. Don’t be taken by someone who talks a good game or has expensive looking equipment to show off.  The wrong dental practices could be irreversible, dangerous, and possibly deadly to your equine friend.

Contact Us if you have further questions.