86
46TH
ANNUAL
CONGRESS
OF
THE
SAEVA
SKUKUZA
16-‐20
FEBRUARY
2014
Veterinary Equine Dentistry for
practitioners - an exciting income
centre
Coetzee MA*, West Acres Animal Hospital, 53 Figtree St. Nelspruit
[email protected]
The purpose of the presentation is to give enough practical information to start
equine dentistry. This should enable any veterinarian to offer this service to their
clients. Equine dentistry can be developed as a significant income centre for equine
practitioners.
Veterinarians are often confronted by the services presented by lay “dentists”. If a
veterinarian does not have enough knowledge about the subject it often is left for lay
persons to do the work. However, this is a huge income generator for any equine
practice and can change a marginal to a profitable practice. Legally only veterinarians
may sedate a horse and perform veterinary procedures. This is a hugely
underutilized opportunity. The bulk of horses will just need a properly done float but
as veterinarians we are in a position to offer so much more. Radiological
examinations, extractions and periodontal treatment are but a few of the extra
services that can only be done by a veterinarian.
The most effective way to offer any new service is to show confidence, knowledge
and use correct equipment. If the staff and veterinarians in the practice show a keen
interest in dentistry it becomes a service that clients are willing to pay for. It is just
not acceptable to use a single float in an old rusted bucket to quickly float some
sharp edges. Time should be allocated for a proper clinical examination, sedation,
oral examination using a speculum, treatment plan and charting of findings.
To enhance the ability to do a thorough oral examination, sedation is always
required. This tool allows you to finish the procedure when you are done and not
when the horse is done….
If a decision is made to offer this service, do it with the plan that you want to see all
horses under your care once a year. Using this approach, the capital investment in
tools is easily recovered.
A minimum list of equipment needed will be discussed. The experience of starting
veterinary equine dentistry as a service provided by the author’s practice will be
shared. Examples of dental pathology as seen in daily practice and also how to
recognise “bad dentistry” will be discussed.
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