Q&A with the British Association of Dental Technicians (BAEDT)

The BAEDT was formed in 2001 as an organisation for qualified Equine Dental Technicians, with its aim being to promote the professional training of technicians and also to provide a better understanding of the need for equine dentistry to the general public. For many years there was no formal training or regulation regarding the care of equine teeth, which meant that owners could not be assured that the person treating their horses’ mouth was competent to do so. Veterinarians and practicing Equine Dental Technicians realized there was a great need for having a recognized training and examination and a code of conduct for those who wished to look at horse’s teeth. The formation of the BAEDT has meant that there is now full training and qualification available which is run in conjunction with the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and the British Veterinary Dental Association(BVDA).

For horse owners this means that by choosing an Equine Dental Technician who is a member of the BAEDT they can be assured of the highest competence and training in the industry and that those members are adhering to performance guidelines, a code of conduct and who are fully insured. Only by employing the services of a BAEDT member can you be assured of all of these factors.

2010 has been a busy year as for the first time we have taken the BAEDT to the public at Burghley and Badminton Horse Trials. It was a great opportunity for the general public to really get to know the work that we do, and primarily we were also highlighting the importance of not only regular dental care, but also how important it is to employ the services of an accredited equine dental technician. It has been interesting to talk to owners to see just how much more informed they are now with information and research being more readily available to them, and how their care can directly influence the performance of their charges. Horse care has changed dramatically over the past few decades; the horse evolved to naturally spend a significant numbers of hours in the day grazing coarse, low nutrient grasses, and travelling great distances to find food. We have stabled and restricted their ability to roam, consequently changing the type of forage available and the rate at which the teeth are worn. It is therefore vital to recognize the need for a qualified Equine Dental Technician (EDT) as a regular and routine part of horse care to ensure not only the wellbeing of horses but to give them maximum opportunity to perform at their best.

There are three main reasons to provide your horse with skilled comprehensive dental care: 1) comfort, 2) health, 3) longevity. I would bet that not a single owner reading this article would knowingly allow their horse to be in pain. Many malocclusions such as hooks, displaced, stepped, diseased or fractured teeth, periodontal disease, and many other dental abnormalities can cause minor to acute pain. This care is important throughout the life of the horse and even when they are reaching their twilight years this should not be overlooked. The majority of equine dental care is based on a preventative health care model. Regular oral care along with a carefully constructed diet using the wide range of feeds available from Dengie, a horse can now live a long, happy and functional life. The BAEDT endorses the feeds available from Dengie as being ideal to support the needs of the older horse where the ability to chew and digest food may be compromised as the teeth wear and even fall out. In particular Alfa Beet and and Alfa Pellets can help the horse chew more easily and as a result aids the digestion and the ability to hold weight.

For more information on learning more about equine dental care, visit the BAEDT website which also has a complete listing of BAEDT members who are British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), British Veterinary Dental Association (BVDA) qualified and Defra Approved, and working in your area.