UPDATED 1-10-09
Happy New Year!
This is beginng as a very busy year. I think people are realizing the importance of dentistry for all ages of horses and mules. When you compare the cost of complete dentistry for your horse compared to your dog or cat, it is far more affordable. Complete equine dentistry averages around $250-$300, which compared to a dog or cat that runs between $500-$1000, is substantially cheaper.
What is included in the $250? General exam including heart rate, respirations and tempurature, sedation (some states, like CA, require the vet to supervise this) complete oral examination with a head lamp or other source of bright light so you can see inside the mouth easily, explanation of what work needs to be done, correction of minor mal-occlusions and removal of the sharp enamel points (float), and complete dental chart showing the work completed. We prefer to have the owner look before the work and after the work so they can see and feel the difference for themselves.
If there are major corrections needed, large waves, ramps or hooks, incisors that need correction, extraction of wolf teeth, deciduous caps, etc., there is an additional charge which is discussed beforehand.
A study showed that regular dental maintenence can save 10-15% on your feed bill. I have seen that the regular dentisty has reduced colic issues in these horses almost completely. I am not aware of a scientific study, just what I have observed.
2008 AAEP Convention - San Diego, CA Dec. 6-10th
How lucky for us that this years convention was held in our back yard. With a great slate of educational programs and table topics, this was time well spent. In addition to participating in the AAEVT portion, I also spent the day at a local Equine Facility - San Deiguito, that specializes in lameness. It was good to have a discussion about how dentistry problems can contribute to lameness issues. Horses under their care are on regular dentistry schedules.
I also attended dry-lab with over 100 Vets and Tech like myself, studying a variety of advanced dentistry issues from incisors needing correction to deformities at birth. We studied horses from just after birth to some in their late 20's.
One of the issues discussed was the reduction of canine teeth, which has been commonplace in equine dentistry for over a decade. Our concern is that the continued reduction and burring of the canine teeth makes them more suseptible to calculus growth - tarter, just like we get on our teeth. This tarter build up can get so big that sometimes it covers the entire canine tooth and starts getting between the gum and the tooth causing periodonal disease.
We are taking a conservative approach to canines by not reducing them and hand filing any sharp edges. In addition to helping to reduce the tarter accumulation, we feel the tooth will last longer. We are currently seeing many canine teeth, mostly lower ones, that need extraction after age 20. Extending the life of the tooth and hopefully avoiding extraction will certainly be an advantage to your horse.
Most exciting is the new equipment purchased. We will soon have our new X-ray machine and we also obtained some new dentistry tools. We strive to have the right instruments for the job at hand. Another advantage you get by using our services.
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Look for articles about Professional Equine Dentistry in the October issues of Riding Magazine
http://ridingmagazine.com/riding_onlinemag/rm_article_oct08_professionalequinedental.htm
and the Ramona Home Journal http://www.ramonajournal.com/news/2008/1001/ramona_community/042.html
How do you like our newest piece of dentistry equipment? For two years Dr. Grim and I have been lugging our equipment in our trucks. We still lug it with a truck, but now everything we need is housed in the mobile dentistry unit. Under our new name, "Professional Equine Dentistry", this mobile dentistry lab was put into service in July 08. Dr. Lisa Grim has installed a digital x-ray unit and periodontal unit allowing us to provide a full range of dentistry for your horses.
With our ability to do on-site extractions and other very advanced services, people are saving hundred's of dollars over taking their horse to Helen Woodward Equine Hospital or San Luis Rey Equine Hospital.
The mobile dentistry unit is 8 feet tall on the interior leaving plenty of room for our draft horse patients and also has risers for our pony and mini patients. Because the unit is so tall, the gate is longer and also lower to the ground making both entry and exit from the trailer easy for the horses.
Horses are clearly more comfortable inside the mobile dentistry lab than standing in a stall or outside and that means lower amounts of sedation and quicker recovery. For the dental equilibration people are riding their horses the same day.
The best news is our prices are affordable. In fact, many charge more for less services. When it comes to equine dentistry, you need Professional Equine Dentistry - Dentistry Done Right!
To Schedule your dentistry appointment in our new mobile dental unit, call us today at 760-633-3133.
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September 2008
The International Association of Equine Dentistry held their elections and Christine Griffin was voted in as the new Secretary of the association and to be on the Board of Directors. She will also be writing the associations newsletter article for the "Horse Dentistry & Bitting Joural" magazine.
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In May 08, Christine passed the extremely difficult testing to become Certified by the International Association of Equine Dentistry (IAED). She is now one of only three practioners in San Diego County and less only a handful in Southern Californa that have passed this rigorous testing process, and she passed it on her first attempt! The IAED sets a very high standard for equine dentistry and has certified equine dentists world wide.
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Knowing just a little more than the basics can make a big difference in just about anything one can do. So we wanted to bring you more than the basics about the dentistry your horse may need. It doesn't matter where in the world you live, chance are your horse will need dentistry at some time.
Most articles in magazines are so limited in space that you really don't learn much. We hope this information will be easy to understand and help you to determine your horses needs.
With good dental care through out a horses lifetime, a healthy horse can live into their 30's, some even into their 40's. As medical technology cures many illnesses that shortened a horses life, horses are living longer than ever before. For that reason you need to be sure your horses teeth will last throughout their lifetime.
If you have any questions we may be able to help answer please don't hesitate to send an email.
Christine Griffin, CEqDT
Certified by the International Association of Equine Dentistry
760.703.4860
Member of International Association of Equine Dentistry
American Association of Equine Vet. Techs - AAEVT
Natl Assocation of Veterinary Technician's of America - NAVTA
