Laws pertaining to equine dental care vary among states. In some states, lay practitioners are allowed to perform dental work on equines. In others, it is a felony for a non-veterinarian to perform dental procedures on horses. Many horse owners are confused about different titles and procedures used by practitioners involved in dental care for equines.
An amendment is pending in Oklahoma to change a law that makes practicing dentistry without a veterinary license a felony. In Texas, only veterinarians can perform dental procedures. It is punishable for lay dentists to do so, but it’s not a felony.
Horse dentistry quandary
Laws and regulations concerning equine dentistry are "consistently inconsistent" in the USA.
Dental technicians must have a veterinarian on-site in Arizona, Alabama, California and South Carolina. Minnesota requires equine dentists to be certified. In Arizona and Virginia, dentistry can be performed under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian, says equine dental technician Christine Griffin. “More horses can be treated each day, and that’s good all the way around.”
All other states have some laws on the books that permit dentistry as “animal husbandry.”
In other words, laws and regulations concerning equine dentistry are "consistently Inconsistent."
The quandary for many horse owners involves the question, "Should certified equine dental technicians be allowed to float teeth, sedate an animal or perform extractions on horses with direct supervision from veterinarians?"
According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, “The practice of equine dentistry is an integral branch of equine veterinary medicine."
“This discipline encompasses all aspects of diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of any and all equine dental conditions and diseases that affect the oral cavity, mandible and maxilla, teeth and associated structures. As such, it falls within the purview of veterinary medicine.”
Accordingly, the AAEP recommends that veterinarians perform such care and supervise it when administered by equine dental technicians.
Kimberly May, assistant director of the department of professional and public affairs for the American Veterinary Medical Assn., says the AVMA agrees with the AAEP’s stance.
Dr. May, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, says veterinarians have the training in anatomy and physiology, as well as pharmacology, that is necessary to treat horses. Though most equine dental technicians are trained, performing dentistry on a horse without a licensed veterinarian’s supervision can be risky.
Dr. Shannon Lee, of AAEP who is currently answering questions from the public during the month of June, addressed the issue in answering a question from a horse owner, who has used a "Certified Dental Practitioner" successfully, and questions why some vets attack the practice of using non-DVMs for equine dental work.
Dr. Lee responded by saying, "All veterinarian schools provide veterinarians with a strong background in veterinary science since that is why they graduate with a Doctor of veterinary medicine DVM. As a vet who has taught equine dentistry for a decade and as a part of the largest network of equine vets in the world (The AAEP) I'm very comfortable stating that there are a great many veterinarians able to provide equine dentistry at a very high level."
"The concern that comes with non-veterinarians attempting these procedures is that there have been many cases of horses being hurt or maimed because of these activities. Horses teeth are sensitive structures with nerves and blood vessels inside them, and so it is critical to do no harm to these structures."
"When choosing a dental practitioner, it is very important to understand the potential for this harm to occur and to thoroughly scrutinize anyone whom you may choose. Ensure they are licensed, regulated and insured."
"This is to protect you in the event that any damage does occur, and means that they must be under the control of a regulatory body like your state veterinary board. This is to ensure that if they are performing procedures that are causing harm, steps can be taken to prevent them from continuing to do so."