|
|
Too busy outside!
Posts: 5417
 
| I have mostly always been more satisfied with the non-veterinary equine dentists, mostly I think because I believed the talk of the non-vet dentists who told me that their training was much more intensive than a vets.
My last experience has changed my mind.
I had a recommended dentist come to float my 6-year olds teeth because it had been at least 8 months since he was done and he was dropping grain and excessively chewing on his bit. This dentist did a float with hand tools, (while giving me the talk about how power tools are bad of course). She left my place to go on to do a few more horses that are owned by pretty knowledgeable horse people in the area. Anyway, my horse continued to drop grain and have the slobbering, chewing issues with his bit. A month later, another dentist shows up on the place. This is one who teaches dentistry and does NFR horses, in fact, he did an NFR barrel horse right after mine this day. Anyway, I told him I didn't think my horse was yet right after the last dentist and so he said he would have a look at him. He looks at him and tells me that dentist missed a fractured molar, and it had to come out. So he proceeds to float the teeth and extract the molar. My horse is off feed or 3 days, and coincidentally catches the crud the day after he gets his teeth done. Within a week he is back to himself, full feed and riding great- no more dropping feed and excessive bit chewing. A week later he can't keep any feed in his mouth, every thing he takes in he spits out again. This started on a Saturday and I couldn't get him to the vet until Tuesday. By Tuesday he hasn't eaten much at all in four days, and has lost a significant amount of weight and energy. So the vet inspects him, and tells me that the dentist left half a molar in there- roots exposed, obviously very, very painful, and now infected. I asked her if there was anyway my dentist could have made an honest mistake and thought he got the whole tooth? She said there was no way he could have missed it and probably just left praying that it wouldn't go bad on me. She knew who this dentist was, and said that she had always thought that he was one of the "good ones" who practice non-veterinary dentistry, but this situation made her change her mind about him. So... now I am looking at a $1000 surgical procedure to drill the rest of the molar out of my horses mouth. He's on antibiotics and daily bute, and has to have his hay and grain soaked to a mush so he can eat it.
I have spent twice to get his teeth floated, and then one time to get the poor jobs finished by a vet. I think that this has forever changed my mind about having a non-veterinary dentist go near my horses teeth. I'm curious to know anyone elses experiences?? |
|
| |
|
  Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
  
Location: ND | I've had problems with both dentists & vets when it comes to dental work. I've had a vet who couldn't even find a wolf tooth and I've had dentists take so much tooth the horse couldn't eat for a week. You can't judge either of them as a whole, you have to look at each individual and their work. |
|
| |
|
 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Last time I let a vet do teeth, he messed my mare's jaw and poll up so bad she couldn't turn the first barrel correctly for 5 months. That was 10 years ago. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 182
| Totally agree with SaraJean. Personally I use an equine dentist (not a vet) for my horses. He does a lot of NFR horses. I've used him for years and his skills surpass the 3 different vets I've tried when he was unavailable. Now I wait for him rather than waste money on vets. |
|
| |
|
Nut Case Expert
Posts: 9305
Location: Tulsa, Ok | I think it is all about the individual and how well they have absorbed their education and learned their trade, as well as their willingness to take the time and attention to do the job properly.
I had an awesome non-veterinary dentist for years and years. Equine dentistry was his family trade and he learned from the best and worked on the biggest racetracks in the country. This guy worked without drugs and could into a stall with his tools and horses just seemed to open their mouths and let him work. I was always in awe.
Since that individual passed away, I have used a vet with a specialty in dentistry. He also does an outstanding job, but his methods are a little more conventional. |
|
| |
|
Miss Not Exciting
Posts: 3279
Location: Ft Worth TX | I won't use a dentist that is not a vet... I have noticed in TX they have lots of "fakes" that don't have proper training at all. I also prefer them not to be power floated- I like a good old hand float. I MAY consider a non-vet equine dentist for BASIC maintenance if they came highly recommended BUT if they need extractions or anything outside of a simple float a vet would be my only option. Not only that my vet charges $105 and at that cheap I will use him over anyone else... he has had the training if not more then most dentists from what he explains anyways- but hes an older vet. |
|
| |
|
Too busy outside!
Posts: 5417
| I agree with a few of you that for general floats, the non-vet's are OK. The first question I got from the vet I contacted was, "Did he take any X-Rays to make sure he got all the fragments out?" And of course I had to say, "no, he's not a vet and doesn't have an X-Ray machine." And then I just got the cold stare........ |
|
| |
|
 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| First of all in TX an equine dentist has to work under the supervision of a vet. There are a few vets that specialize in dentistry. There is a Dr Norris that is in the Mt Pleasant TX area and Kendra Dickson's husband, Chad Dickson. Chad lives in the Pilot Point or Edgewood area. I have used Norris and was very pleased. Personally I prefer an equine dentist. Whoever does mine has to show me what they are doing. By the way, I have a good one. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 3147
| We had a horse a non vet dentist ground on the horse's molars so much he had muscle spasms in his jaws due to his totally changing his grinding surface. He lost weight for about 6 weeks due to his inability to chew without pain. Horses teeth are wearing out faster and they're being left with little to chew with due to over zealousness in grinding on their teeth. This premature wearing out of the horses' teeth started with the growth of non vet dentistry. |
|
| |
|
 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I've used both. I used a vet one time in the spring and he noticed my horse's tooth was broken and pulled it right then and there. But I've also used dentists.....I wish there a manual on how it's all supposed to be done. |
|
| |
|
Too busy outside!
Posts: 5417
| BMW - 2015-03-17 10:08 PM We had a horse a non vet dentist ground on the horse's molars so much he had muscle spasms in his jaws due to his totally changing his grinding surface. He lost weight for about 6 weeks due to his inability to chew without pain. Horses teeth are wearing out faster and they're being left with little to chew with due to over zealousness in grinding on their teeth. This premature wearing out of the horses' teeth started with the growth of non vet dentistry.
I agree- I had a 13 year old gelding done by an equine dentist once, and the float was so aggressive he didn't need to be done for 3 more years- and even then it was just minimal. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | It depends on where they got their training. It used to be, the best in the world was named Dale Jeffrey. He got run out of (I think it was Kansas) because he was not a vet. Even tho if you walked into almost any vet school and picked out their study book on the subject, he wrote it. He used to have a school up in Idaho where he kept a vet (that did the Royal Stables in England) on staff at all times. They would get vets in there from all over the world to learn more about the subject because the training in vet school was so limited.. but I understand he retired and I don't know what the situation is now.. |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317
Location: MS | I've used both. I'm lucky, I have a great non vet dentist. I think the key to using either is to get in their mouth with whoever
is working on them. Make them show you what they think is going on.
Mine always shows me before and after and explains what she did. There's no doubt when she's done that they're in good shape.
I also use a vet dentist for my hard to sedate colt. She's the same way. Shows me and explains everything she does.
I've been very lucky to not have any dental issues since I've been using either of them. |
|
| |
|
 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | I've tried vets and equine dentists. Had trouble with both. The vet I switched to about 5 years ago for all my horse stuff does a great job on everything including teeth. He lets me put his miners light on and dig around in my horses mouth. Answers all my stupid questions too. I'm lucky to have him. |
|
| |
|
 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| CYA Ranch - 2015-03-18 8:07 AM I've tried vets and equine dentists. Had trouble with both. The vet I switched to about 5 years ago for all my horse stuff does a great job on everything including teeth. He lets me put his miners light on and dig around in my horses mouth. Answers all my stupid questions too. I'm lucky to have him.
Ditto, I use my vet also. He shows me anything he finds or is concerned about. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | I use an equine vet that specializes and only does equine teeth. Best of both worlds! I have used non vet dentists in the past and have never been satisified with how they did them, even though they also had worked on NFR people's horses. |
|
| |
|
 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | I use my vets office. I have one vet I use regularly. But this is a bigger office with 5 active vets working out of it, so when I call and schedule something the office people will always give me the vet that is the best at what I need. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 700
Location: Driving, Grooming, or Saddling for a Kid! | streakysox - 2015-03-17 10:02 PM First of all in TX an equine dentist has to work under the supervision of a vet. There are a few vets that specialize in dentistry. There is a Dr Norris that is in the Mt Pleasant TX area and Kendra Dickson's husband, Chad Dickson. Chad lives in the Pilot Point or Edgewood area. I have used Norris and was very pleased. Personally I prefer an equine dentist. Whoever does mine has to show me what they are doing. By the way, I have a good one.
Explain please |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2276
Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :) | My dentist isn't a vet. He learned from his father and also went to school for it. He's always done a fantastic job and is CHEAP compared to anyone else I've heard of around here. He's getting older and having health issues....I don't know what I will do when he is no longer able to do it. |
|
| |
|
 Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | My dentist is our very own canchasr1 on here and I can honestly say she is the best I have ever used! She is certified through the state veterinary board and every horse she works on she pays very close attention to in order to be sure their mouth is perfect. I'm so happy to have found her for my horses and to call her my friend!
Now that being said, there are others who are not so good. I had a vet do a filly's teeth one time and break off her wolf teeth and not tell me. I feel like some vets don't pay close enough attention....they get in and get out. The person who I want working on my horse's teeth works slow and takes their time to make sure everything is balanced and perfect. |
|
| |
Folks on-line