The modern science
of equine dentistry in
South Africa
Equine dentistry has advanced significantly within the veterinary
profession in the last 20 years such that it has become a speciality within
its own right. It is no longer acceptable to regard equine dental care as
a simple procedure of rasping. A thorough detailed dental examination
is required to identify dental disease as soon as possible, such that
preventative dental care may be provided. It has been proven that horses
very rarely show clinicals signs from dental disease and by the time horses
do show clinical signs the dental disease is very advanced.
Modern treatments have advanced such that extraction techniques of
even severely diseased teeth have minimal complications and in many
cases teeth are able to be preserved using restoration techniques of caries
or endodontic treatment (root canals) where indicated. Cases with severe
diastema and periodontal disease (regarded as the most painful dental
condition of horses) can also be treated and managed effectively with
careful advanced techniques.
In October two European veterinary specialists, Nicole du Toit and Chris Pearce, from the Equine Dental Clinic Ltd (www.
equinedentalclinic.co.uk) based in the UK came out to South Africa to do a two day practical equine dentistry CPD
course covering detailed anatomy, pathology and dental equilibration (rasping) for veterinary surgeons in practice.
This course was well attended at both venues at Equicare, Midrand and Vetscape, Franschhoek by veterinarians
from all over Southern Africa. Many of you will know Nicole from the advanced referral dental service she has been
providing in South Africa since 2012. She will also be lecturing on advanced equine dentistry at SAEVA congress 2020
at Skukuza.
A second practical hands on course following on from the first course, covering periodontal treatment and cheek
tooth oral extractions is to be offered in March (5th and 6th) at Vetscape. This will enable veterinarians to offer a more
advanced much needed dental service to their patients. This is a rare opportunity to learn from these two recognised
specialists not to be missed.
• Volume 21 Issue 4 | December 2019 •
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