Equine Dentist

An Equine Dentist is responsible for maintaining the general health of the horse's teeth and mouth. Dental problems in horses can lead to performance changes and even serious lameness's due to compensatory posture. Good dental care ensures proper eating, bitting, and body carriage. Equine Dentists are responsible for routine dental care such as floating teeth. Horses' molar teeth need to have the excess enamel removed periodically and the sharp edges filed off, otherwise known as floating. They must use a long-handled, stainless steel file to float the teeth of the horse. Floating also realigning the bite of the horse and creating a comfortable seat in front of the molars for the bit to rest. Equine Dentists also pull caps; remove milk teeth, wolf teeth, and supernumerary teeth. The Equine Dentist should be able to age a horse based on the shape of the teeth, and determine if the teeth are interfering with the proper placement of the bit. Equine Dentists are also responsible for removing abscesses and fractured teeth, which could potentially lead to a nasal infection. Equine Dentists also help owners determine better feeding regimes for those with incorrect bites to provide essential nutrition.

Physical strength is a requirement for the job. An Equine Dentist spends a good deal of time on the road. There is also a significant investment in tools for this occupation. An Equine Dentist must have a minimum of a four-year degree in Equine Science or Pre-veterinary Sciences. Classes should include anatomy, skeletal structures, form and function, health care, and nutrition. Since Equine Dentistry sometimes involves somewhat invasive procedures, and often requires the use of sedatives, many states also require an Equine Dentist to be a Veterinarian. In such states, an aspiring Equine Dentist must attend veterinary school to obtain their Veterinary degree, after which they must serve an apprenticeship of at least six months with an Equine Dentist. The state of Illinois requires that an Equine Dentist must also be a licensed equine veterinarian or work under direct supervision of a veterinarian.

Equine Dentists are self-employed. An Equine Dentist salary is approximately the same as an Equine Veterinarian averaging approximately $40,000 per year.