Equine Dentists in AustraliaBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 5, 2011
According to Dr. Oliver Bask, an Australian veterinarian, equine dentisty is essentially unregulated in Australia. Though some states have restrictions against certain procedures unless performed by a veterinarian, little monitoring is seen.
Both licensed veterinarians and non-veterinarian equine dentists have access to training. Even with this training, skill levels vary considerably among those who offer equine dental services. Electric rotary burr tools as well as those with reciprocating or rotating surfaces are used more often than manual rasps. With the use of power tools, unskilled or careless dental practitioners can easily cause serious damage to a horse's mouth, either through mechanical means (removing too much material, excessive smoothing of grinding surfaces, injury to soft tissue) or by allowing the treated teeth to become too hot, possibly killing the pulp and leading to tooth loss.
Tranquilizing the horse for dental procedures is often done. A licensed veterinarian is supposed to carry out this procedure, but some unlicensed equine dentists have access to tranquilizers. Owners should realize there is some danger to horses if these medications are used incorrectly.
Operators who are unskilled are also at risk of inhaling harmful enamel dust, being injured by small bits of enamel that become dislodged, or contracting Hendra virus spread from fruit bats to horses. Wearing a dust mask while working on horses can reduce some of these risks.
In a presentation at the 2010 AVA/NZVA (Australian and New Zealand Veterinary Associations) conference, Bask suggested that equine dentists who are not veterinarians could attend veterinary school to learn how to sedate and treat equine patients. He also mentioned the possibility that a four-year degree course in equine dentistry could be designed to train those who want to become equine dentists but do not want to become fully qualified veterinarians.
Bask's comments were published in the proceedings of the Third AVA/NZVA Pan Pacific Veterinary Conference held in Brisbane, Australia in 2010.
