Equine dentistry
Equine dentistry in New Zealand
The NZVA Te Pae Kīrehe believes that all dental procedures on equidae, including horses, should be performed by veterinarians and be based on sound scientific knowledge, evidence-based medicine and surgery, and best practice standards. This is to ensure horses' welfare is protected, and that providers of dental care are held accountable for services provided.
We acknowledge the current regulatory environment allows equine dental technicians (EDTs) to perform equine dental work. We have developed guidelines that recognise this, which you can download below.
It is critical that the veterinary profession understand their responsibility under the Code of Professional Conduct when working with, or referring to, another person. These expectations are set out in our position statements.
The position statements outline procedures:
- considered appropriate for an EDT to perform on their own
- that need the supervision of a veterinarian
- that are to be performed by a veterinarian only.
Our position and guidelines recognise that most equine dental procedures meet the criteria outlined in the Animal Welfare Act Amendment Act (2015), section 16 (from May 2020). These criteria define significant surgical procedures.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, no person may perform any significant surgical procedure on an animal unless that person is:
- a veterinarian; or
- a person who is acting under the direct supervision of a veterinarian and who is being taught veterinary science at undergraduate level.
Many equine dentistry procedures require an understanding of horse anatomy, physiology along with knowledge and skills that support robust oral examination and decision making. This is provided as part of the undergraduate training in a veterinary degree, with some veterinarians then choosing to add to that skill set and undertaking further education, on top of their five-year veterinary degree.
Most equine dentistry procedures require the use of sedatives, anaesthetic agents, and other drugs (many of which are only available to veterinarians) to ensure the safety of both the horse and the person performing the procedure. A comprehensive knowledge of the causes of dental disease is required to effectively communicate with the horse owner.
Currently, anyone can perform equine dental procedures, regardless of their level of skill, training or experience. In New Zealand, there is no regulation of people providing equine dental services, except when that person is a veterinarian (who is bound by the Veterinary Council of New Zealand’s Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinarians).
From 9 May 2021, section 16 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 provides the criteria for defining a significant surgical procedure (SSP) such that any procedure that involves sensitive tissue and/or is below the gum line is restricted to veterinary only. The only exception is Regulation 56E of the Animal Welfare Act (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018, which allows a legal pathway for the removal of wolf teeth by “competent” persons, provided that “Appropriate pain relief, authorized by a veterinarian, must be given to the horse at the time of the procedure to remove the wolf tooth”. Judgement of the non-veterinarian's competency is at the discretion of the supervising/training/authorising veterinarian.
Some equine dental technicians do a very good job, while others do not. Because they aren’t regulated, meaning there’s no clear qualification nor standard of professional behaviour required, there is no way of horse owners knowing which is which. Just like veterinarians, equine dental technicians should be subject to a regulatory framework that protects the public, and animal welfare and is in the interests of horses and their owners.
In recent years, the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ) has received several complaints about procedures performed by equine dental technicians. It has not been able to action these complaints as it only has the power to bring disciplinary procedures against registered veterinarians. During this time it has not received any complaints about registered veterinarians performing equine dental procedures. Our members also tell us they are sometimes asked to re-visit horses after dentistry procedures performed by EDTs have resulted in poor animal health outcomes.
Just like other allied veterinary professionals, equine dental technicians would require a minimum qualification, continuing professional development and a code of professional conduct. There would also be a mechanism for disciplinary action if the code or the law was breached.
Yes.
