Vet or EDT?

CL66

CL66

Equine Dental Technician
Jul 26, 2007
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If I had the technical know how i'd have done a poll :rolleyes:
I was just wondering who uses a vet to do their horses teeth, and who uses an EDT and what made you decide on one or the other? And if EDT, do you have any ideas what qualifications they have.
Thanks!

C :)
 
I use an EDT, They specialise in this field so are more experienced and alot cheaper. I would check they have qualifications though as I used one once and he left part of a tooth in my horses mouth, she was head shaking and very uphappy. I got a second opinion who showed me part of the tooth when they pulled it out. It took me months to get her out of the head shaking thanks to the unqualified EDT!!! :mad:
 
We use a very experienced non EDT qualified toothman/horseman who served his apprenticeship with equally well regarded team. He is recommended by our local equine vets but you need to be very lucky to get on his list.

One of Leicestershires best secrets!!

Have used vets in the past with disastrous results with a difficult youngster and have seen the results of some 'qualified' EDT work I would not subject my horses to.

I think it comes down to experience in all cases.
 
At old yard used EDT. Never got the chance to actually be there myself due to the times he used to come (couldn't fit in with work AT ALL and never gave enough notice of his next visit to allow me to take time off work) but he said my boys were really really good , no trouble at all.
When I moved quite a long way I had to change vets and asked new vet to have a look at one of the boys' teeth as he was a bit unhappy with the bit - vet said EDT had done a fantastic job, wanted to know who it was who'd done them etc. So was pleased with EDT.
Since then new vet has always done them as he does so many, almost all his clients seem to use him rather than an EDT, so I think he has enough experience. Wouldn't want just any old vet to do them though.
 
Lesleymc said:
I use an EDT, They specialise in this field so are more experienced and alot cheaper. I would check they have qualifications though as I used one once and he left part of a tooth in my horses mouth, she was head shaking and very uphappy. I got a second opinion who showed me part of the tooth when they pulled it out. It took me months to get her out of the head shaking thanks to the unqualified EDT!!! :mad:
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I use my vet who is really good and charges £13, there are lots of EDT around where I live and the minimum they charge is £40, so even with a call out, the vet is cheaper and know he is well qualified!
 
I use edt as i found i got problems using the vet as he kept missing the back teeth (plus all the ones i had seemed terrified!!)
 
I think overall it just depends where you live, The dentist we use charges £30 and is fully qualified where the vet would cost me £50 plus.
 
EDT, was recommended to me by others on the yard, he was telling us how under qualified some EDT, so do be careful if you use one. Also a lot cheaper than vet, think it was £35 all including might have been a bit cheaper not too sure but that is nearly a vet call out alone!
 
EDT for me, only £20, if he doesn't need to do anything then there is no charge.

Funny thing is I saw my EDT on telly the other day, he was on Animal Planet's Mounted Branch, so he does the Manchester police horses too! lol
 
Thanks for all your replies. I'm going to train to be an EDT and was chatting to my vet yesterday about it and he was saying how DEFRA are in the process pushing through an exam all qualified EDT's have to take in order to practice legally in the UK as it's quite scary because some only do a 1 day course :eek:

Shame there aren't more regulations in all fields to stop these cowboys hurting our horses!!
 
I use a horse dentist. He does a great job and has a fantastic way with the horses and charges £20 or nothing if nowt needs doing! He is always late though.... :D

Infact I was watching the Mounted Branch on Animal Planet last week and he was on that doing all the police horses teeth!
 
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vet every time i'm afraid. we have some EDTs locally but my vets do a super job. why bother to change? the vets i use are all fully trained in dental work.
 
eventerbabe said:
vet every time i'm afraid. we have some EDTs locally but my vets do a super job. why bother to change? the vets i use are all fully trained in dental work.
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Yeah, that's what you need to watch for cos they're not trained in it fully during their vet training as standard which i suppose is why some aren't necessarily brilliant.
 
mu0ljk said:
I use a horse dentist. He does a great job and has a fantastic way with the horses and charges £20 or nothing if nowt needs doing! He is always late though.... :D

Infact I was watching the Mounted Branch on Animal Planet last week and he was on that doing all the police horses teeth!
Click to expand...

Ha Ha you use Mark too then!:D Isn't he the funnest guy you ever met?:p
 
I use a team of vets who have specialised in equine dentistry. They are based in Germany and travel around Central Europe - they are expensive, but very good indeed.

We don't have EDTs here anyway - but my main concern would be that they are not allowed to sedate the horse (imagine going to a dentist who's not allowed to give you an anaesthetic! :eek:) or administer antibiotics or other treatments the horse may need. So firstly you have the issue of are they actually going to say if the horse needs treatment from a vet, or just do their best and hope for the best, and secondly, you might end up paying for everything twice if there is anything more than basic rasping to be done.

I'm all for specialists in these things, but I think the training for EDTs needs to be a broader and encompass all things related to horses' teeth - rather like a human dentist. I'm sure there are some really good ones out there - but it would need more regulation for me to have confidence in the title.
 
I use an EDT. He charges £35 per horse and has a fantastic way with horses. Initally I used the vet, but they were very keen to sedate over minor issues , it took ages and the horses got very stressed.

He came yesterday as it happens.
 
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