The Center for Veterinary Sciences provides an over view of the equine dentistry program at Oklahoma State University. Unlike courses at other schools that “teach” equine dentistry to lay people, Oklahoma State University graduates receive a comprehensive education that integrates oral health and disease with the equine dentistry program.
OSU providing well-rounded equine dentists
Oklahoma State University graduates receive a comprehensive education that integrates oral health and disease with the equine dentistry program.
The veterinary medical curriculum is a core – elective program. A total of 162 semester hours of lecture, laboratory and practicum is required for graduation. The curriculum emphasizes comparative medicine across the major animal species.
All veterinary students are required to complete the core curriculum (non-tracking component). Through on and off campus electives and preceptorships, students can focus on an animal species or type of practice. This is especially important for students focusing on equine practice.
Several equine electives are provided to interested students seeking greater depth in equine medicine and surgery. The college maintains approximately 75 horses for teaching and research. Dental health is maintained by students in the veterinary teaching hospital.
Equine dentistry is not taught as a separate course. Topics related to equine teeth, dentistry and oral health and disease are included in 15 courses in year’s 1-3. Several of these courses include laboratories for hands-on-animal experience. In year 4, students get clinical experience through core and elective hospital rotations.
Finally, student clubs, such as the American Association of Equine Practitioners, sponsor wet labs on equine dentistry. The college Out Reach Department has held several short courses and seminars on equine dentistry which are available to veterinarians for continuing education credit.
When horse owners look for an equine dentist, it is usually worth the effort to hire an equine dentist that knows more than merely how to float a horse's teeth. Having a solid background in equine diseases and oral health allows an "equine dentist" to recognize and solve equine health problems beyond simply what is happening with a horse's teeth.