The British Association of Equine Dental Technicians

Frequently Asked Questions

A few of the most frequently asked questions about the practice of Equine Dentistry are detailed below. Please contact us if you think we should add something to this list.

What are the signs that my horse needs dental attention?

  • Your horse starts to change their eating habits.
  • The horse may dribble feed, wash feed in the water bucket, hold the head to the side or not eat at all.
  • It's breath might be unpleasant and may have a swollen face.
  • The horse may roll the food into a ball and drop it on the ground, this is quidding.

How often does my horse or pony need dental check ups?

  • Dental care should start as a yearling to remove sharp edges and identify any future problems.
  • After the first visit by a Dental Technician, it is recommended that two visits per year be scheduled; Your Equine Dental Technician will advise you.

Why do horse or pony teeth get sharp?

  • The upper jaw is wider than the lower jaw and allows the jaw to move in a circular motion. This can lead to sharp edges on the outside of the upper cheek teeth.
  • Horses diets have changed over the years and can lead to dental problems.

Will my horse be better to ride?

  • Horses can become head shy and develop head tossing, rear or be generally unsettled and not perform well.
  • Bad habits can develop and may be difficult to break, sometimes re-schooling may be needed.

I am interested in training to become an equine dental technician.
What skills do I require and what courses are available?

  • To become a fully trained EDT it can take many years of commitment and training. It must also be recognised that equine dentistry is physically very demanding, requires excellent horse-handling skills, good client communication, high initial capital outlay on education, training and equipment. It also will require excellent business skills to build up and retain a good client base.
  • The BAEDT is encouraging those wishing to pursue a career in equine dentistry to contact Hartpury College in Gloucestershire. Hartpury College run BSC (Hons) degree in Equine Dental Science, and are planning to start an exciting three year foundation degree in equine dental studies in 2008. Please see the training page for full details on both courses.
  • The BAEDT also actively encourages people to train as an apprentice with a BEVA qualified EDT’s or vets. This has to be arranged with the qualifed individual and is usually over a three year period with a view to sitting the BEVA examination towards the end of the apprentership.

I am interested in taking the BEVA/BVDA exam. How do I obtain a place and what are the requirements for this exam?

In order to sit the BEVA/BVDA examination candidates must write formally to the BEVA office expressing their desire to sit the exam and provide the following;

  • A CV and two veterinary references
  • A case log (dental charts) of 300 dental cases. These dental charts will have to include 40 dental charts of more advanced dental procedures taking place under sedation and signed by a vet. (BEVA reserve the right to contact clients or veterinary surgeons involved in each individual case study to verify the work carried out by the candidate). (N.B At least 50% of the dental charts will need to be of procedures performed in the UK, including 50% of advanced cases.)
  • Candidates must attend the 2-day BEVA/BVDA advanced theoretical EDT course. The course teaches advanced dental anatomy, equine nutrition, dental disorders and treatments, microbiology, disinfection, health and safety and current legislation in Britain today, it does not give any of the training in the practical skills which are essential to a very high level, if this examination is to be passed. Further details available from BEVA headquarters. Tel:01223 836 970 Have attended the BEVA/BVDA Advanced theoretical EDT course. (Dates for 2007 24th & 25th August).
  • The candidate must also spend a minimum of five full days working under supervision with an EDT who has passed the BEVA/BVDA EDT exam or with a vet who performs a high amount of equine dental work. (A time period will be specified in which the days will need to have been spent. Usually the time period is 6 to 9 months before sitting the exam). The EDT or vet will then be independently asked to sign a form confirming that the candidate is ready to sit this examination. If the EDT or vet does not think the candidate is ready to sit the examination the candidate will be asked to defer sitting the exam at that time. The examiners feel that it is very important that candidates do not sit this examination until they have the correct training and experience to give them the very best chance of passing at the first attempt.
  • Canditates are also strongly advised to attend the pre examination training weekends. These are a superb opportunity for prospective candidates to get hands on experience of working under exam conditions whilst gaining tuition from BAEDT qualified members and BEVA examiners in preparation for the exam. Further details are available from secretary@baedt.com

What is the format for the BEVA/BVDA exam?

  • The BEVA/BVDA examination consists of a written element, 2 practical examinations on specimens and skulls (“spot” examination and cadaver skull charting) and a practical (clinical) examination. It is a very rigorous examination, with a current failure rate of 75% and sitting it should not be considered until extensive training and experience are achieved.
  • The written examination consists of 50 multiple-choice questions where it will be clearly stated if one or more of the answers are correct. The first 25 of these questions will cover basic anatomy, physiology, microbiology, prevention of disease spread and legislation that affects EDTs in the UK. The second 25 multiple-choice questions will relate to equine dental anatomy, function, various dental disorders and their treatment. To date candidates have had no apparent problem in completing the written questions within the allowed time.
  • The practical “spot” examinations consists of two separate 30-minute examinations. The first will involve 20 short questions on various equine dental instruments, anatomical specimens, dental photographs, dental specimens and skulls. Short written answers (usually less than one line) are required for all. These should take about one minute to complete, but 1½ minutes is allowed before candidates are asked to move on to the next specimen/photograph/instrument. To date candidates have no problems in completing this part of the examination within the allowed time.
  • The second part of the practical “spot” examination consists of examining three fresh cadaver skulls that have some dental abnormalities. The candidate will be expected to complete a dental chart for each 3 skulls, allowing 10 minutes per skull. Candidates may use the provided charts or if they wish, their own dental charts for this examination.
  • The EDT clinical (practical) examination will be conducted on the lines of a University Clinical Examination for Veterinary or Dental Students - as also are the multiple choice and “spot” examinations. Consequently candidates will have most of this 1 hour practical examination performed in front of examiners who will discuss during the procedure, the general handling of the horse, the case history, the candidate’s examination techniques and their findings, their interpretation of findings and their proposed rationale for treatment and their actual skill in treatment. At least one horse will be given to all candidates for this examination, but with more straightforward cases a second horse may also be used. An examiner may also request that a particular technique e.g. power tool tooth reduction be demonstrated on a cadaver skull. The range, quality and condition of candidates equipment will also be examined.
  • This Standard University examination technique gives the candidate a much fairer and better chance to show their skill and knowledge over a longer period, rather than the previously proposed more hit and miss examination technique, i.e having the horse examined by the examiner before and after the EDT had performed corrective procedures. It is accepted that due to time restraints (with a maximum of one hour possible for each candidate for this part of the examination) that it may not be possible for some more difficult cases to be completed by the candidate. These horses will have their dental treatment completed by another operator.
  • Whilst the above examination format may sound intimidating to the EDT candidate, both the BEVA/BVDA examiners are very experienced with examining veterinary undergraduates using this format. The external BAEDT examiners are also very experienced examiners who have taken part in previous similar examinations. The examinations will be conducted as calmly and as stress-free as possible for the candidates, who will be allowed every chance to display the full range of their dental knowledge and techniques.
  • A veterinary surgeon will be on standby for each Equine Dental Technician throughout their clinical examination and treatment of the horse. If the Equine Dental Technician feels it appropriate, the horse can be sedated and re-sedated as necessary. The examiners, bearing in mind the nature of the horse and the type and amount of the dental procedures that have to be performed, will also evaluate the decision to request re-sedation(s).
  • As the examination will be conducted as a University type examination, standard rules will apply, i.e. candidates should not bring to such examinations any written material pertaining to the examination and should not communicate with other candidates or allow other candidates to communicate with them during the examinations. Breaches of these rules could cause candidates to permanently disqualify themselves from this examination.
  • Following the examination, an examiners’ meeting will be held to discuss the marks obtained at the various written, practical and clinical part of the examinations (all examiners independently mark each candidate) allowing some compensation between the different components of the examination. However, we will always require an overall minimum standard for animal handling, oral examination and dental procedures. In order to keep up the high standards and reputation of this examination, no significant compensation will be allowed for these aspects of the examination. This examination meeting can be prolonged whilst the various examiners put forward their case for each candidate. The examination results will be posted by BEVA, first class on the following Monday. The examiners decision is absolutely final and BEVA/BVDA will not enter into any dialogue concerning the examiners decisions.
  • If candidates fail either the written, “spot” or clinical part of the examination they will just have to repeat the failed part of the examination, but not any part of the examination that they have passed. A full report will be given to any candidate who fails part of an examination to highlight weak areas and to suggest constructive theoretical and practical ways that these shortfalls can be rectified prior to re-sitting the examination. BEVA/BVDA will also recommend a specific interval to individual candidates before they should re-sit the examination, to allow them to gain appropriate training to have a good chance of being successful with this examination.
  • Failure of part or all such examinations will occur (as also occurs in veterinary and dental examinations) and at the time, this can be very upsetting to the candidate. However, candidates who initially failed and later passed this BEVA/BVDA examination have, following initial intense disappointment, later spoken and written to us about the very positive nature of this process and freely admit that the standard of their knowledge and work was not of the highest standard at the initial sitting, and that it improved enormously before sitting and passing the examination at the second attempt. On retrospect, but not at the time of the examination, they felt the examination was fair and acknowledge that they did in fact require additional skills and knowledge to achieve the high level of knowledge and competency, which we are all trying to attain.

What knowledge and skills are required for the exam? Are there any recommended books that I could read to learn the theory for the exam?

The required knowledge and skills for the exam are;

  • Basic understanding of common equine infectious diseases and their control
  • Understanding of legal and ethical issues currently applicable to the EDT in the UK
  • Ability to handle a horse in a safe, calm and humane manner
  • Understanding of bitting and of bit-related problems
  • Ability to examine the head and oral cavity, identifying all dental and soft tissue abnormalities
  • Ability to document the findings of the oral examination (using standard Triadan nomenclature/terminology) on an equine dental chart
  • EDTs may if they like bring their own dental charts which must be in standard ( 3 numeral) Triadan format (e.g. 311 is 6th left mandibular cheek tooth)
  • Ability to explain the relationship between dental disease and abnormal tooth wear in the individual animal
  • Ability to formulate a list of procedures necessary to correct any abnormalities detected, with awareness that some more serious dental disorders require veterinary attention
  • Awareness of the value of ancillary aids eg. radiography, endoscopy, scintigraphy and of the limitations of a physical examination when dealing with oral problems
  • An understanding of age-related dental appearance and age related disorders
  • Knowledge of deciduous and permanent incisor and cheek teeth eruption sequence and “cap” shedding
  • Ability to age horses with awareness of the limitations of this procedure
  • Appreciation that the age of the horse and the overall status of the teeth will affect the degree of cheek teeth reduction, if reduction of the occlusal surface is required

Candidates should also be competent in the following procedures;

  • Corrective procedures should remove sharp enamel points and reduce focal overgrowths (variously termed ‘hooks’, ‘ramps’, ‘beaks’, “prominent” or “tall” teeth) using hand or where appropriate power dental tools
  • Corrective procedures should maintain/establish correct cheek teeth occlusion (contact) and symmetry
  • Awareness that some major disorders of growth should not necessarily be fully corrected at a single session
  • Awareness that some major disorders of growth e.g. advanced wave mouth and shear mouth cannot be fully corrected without compromising the long-term dental life of the horse
  • Wolf teeth extraction when indicated
  • Smooth, tartar-free balanced canine teeth, reduced if very long and sharp
  • Balanced incisor table to aid occlusion and lateral excursion of the cheek teeth, striving to maintain occlusion (contact) of the upper and lower central incisors
  • Arbitrary formulae for reduction of incisors is not required, incisor contact must be retained
  • Separation of the incisors must obviously occur on sideways movement of the mandible, when the normally sloped occlusal surfaces of the upper and lower cheek teeth come in contact. However it must be accepted that due to normal anatomical differences in the widths of the jaws, differences in the ratios of the widths between the upper and lower jaws and of the occlusal angles of the cheek teeth, that different ranges of lateral mandibular movement can occur prior to incisor separation
  • No fixed arbitrary width of incisor separation in relation to a fixed amount of sideways mandibular movement will be required
  • Rostral edges of 1st cheek teeth (‘06s’) should be rounded and balanced- as is appropriate for individual horse (e.g different requirements for broodmare compared to dressage horse). “Complete” bit seating (with possible risk of pulpar exposure) will not be required or allowed
  • Individual, abnormally large transverse ridges should be reduced and transverse ridges opposite a pathological diastema should also be removed - Normal transverse ridges even if tall should not be removed
  • Excessive removal of lateral ridges (cingulae) of the upper cheek teeth e.g. full removal for over 1 cm from the occlusal surface is not required, especially on the caudal 4 cheek teeth

We do not expect the more experienced EDT examination candidates to demonstrate their “proficiency” by performing more aggressive reductions of the cheek and incisor teeth. In fact we would expect a more thoughtful and judicious approach from such candidates with in many cases, a less aggressive approach to dental reductions. “More is not better” - the goal of the EDT should be to ensure the optimal short and long-term dental health of horses and excessive reduction of dental tissues will compromise the latter. The requirement of this BEVA/BVDA examination will differ considerably from some of the American examination in this respect.

For the written examination all of the information required to answer these questions is covered in the prescribed reading course, ie; Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners. 1987 revised edition. Edited by Peter D. Rossdale. Elbury Press London is a recommended text in this regard. However, some chapters of this text give advanced details of eg. lameness, which is superfluous to the requirements of equine dental technicians. Pages 0-138 and 399-579 are recommended reading for equine dental technicians.

Additionally, the text: Equine Dentistry. 1999 edition. Edited by Gordon J. Baker and Jack Easley. W.B. Saunders Co. Ltd. London is also a recommended text, and chapters 12 and 13 are essential reading, Chapters 11, 14, 16 and 17 are not within the syllabus of the equine dental technician. The course notes of the BEVA Advanced Theoretical EDT course (information in small print eg lists of disinfectants, is reference only information and need not be memorised), the lecture contents and any handouts from these lectures are also course work for this examination.