An Open Letter To Equine Dentists Using Power Tools
Posted by Geoff Tucker on Fri, Oct 16, 2009
The opinions and views of this blog is for information and entertainment only and should not be used as a substitute for seeking advice from your veterinarian about your horse and your situation. Specific advice may only be given after a valid veterinary - client - patient relationship is made.
One week spent with an Australian equine dentist seeking all ideas and views on floating teeth has clarified my own beliefs.
Wendy has been floating teeth for many years in Australia and has recently visited 3 other equine dentists in her country. Some of the things she learned helped her understand concepts while other things were disturbing to her. She decided to come to the United States to learn from the "Yanks".
She spent a large chunk of money and went to an "Equine Dentistry School" in September. The quotes are used because a real school is accredited by the state and is reviewed for content so that the people attending are protected from a dishonest education. After her courses, she came to me and next week she travels with another dentist in Kentucky and finally another dentist in Ocala Florida.
Wendy found my web site and thought my philosophy and style differed from so many equine dentists. It intrigued her and so she became determined to add me to her itinerary.
Today she goes on her way but leaves us with some good thoughts and observations.
1) "All roads lead to Rome" - We start with a horse with sharp teeth and we end with a horse with all sharp edges smoothed. It seems there are many ways to get there. Furthermore, each dentists believes his or her way is the best way - to the point of tearing down the others. Some even argued that one type of float handle should only be used and the rest were garbage.
2) As a vet, I can drug every horse and use the power tools and I choose not to. This in itself says a lot.
3) I only use 3 floats and my end result matches those using either dozens of hand tools or power tools.
4) The accuracy and importance of the theories being taught as science based may not be accurate or important. Here is an example. When asked to apply her knowledge of lateral excursion of the jaw and develop a plan for a proper incisor reduction of the horse I was floating, she quickly advised me on how to proceed. There was a lot of math. Then I told her I had been doing this horse for years. The horse was in great body condition. The rider had no bit issues or riding complaints. But most importantly, this horse is presently ranked NUMBER ONE IN NORTH AMERICA for its' discipline. So just how accurate and important are the theories being taught?
Through the power of her observing and her willingness to to have an open mind and her determination to dig for the truth, I became the one most affected by it all. As an independent observer of me and her honest conversations with me, Wendy helped me reach my own conclusions.
1) My way of sculpting (not just floating) horse teeth is an effective way to remove all causes of pain within the horse's mouth.
2) Drugging every horse and bracing their heads is for the convenience of the operator and does not make a bad dentist good.
3) The use of my hand as a mouth speculum has advantages over the disadvantages.
4) While "all roads do lead to Rome," my "minimalist" way works.
5) Equine Dentistry Without Drama™ isn't going to be replaced with an "auto mechanics" approach.
I am grateful for Wendy spending a week of her life with us. I wish her great success back home and her return trip is safe and smooth. God bless you Wendy. The horses you help will be happier from your efforts to find the truth.
Good on ya, mate!
PS - I welcome anyone who wants an open minded and intelligent debate on equine dentistry to contact me. Remember to bring your unbiased and substantiated facts to the table. I look forward to the discussion. Geoff
Blog 091016 by Geoff Tucker, DVM is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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Geoff Tucker, DVM is licensed under a
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