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The Veterinary record2018; 183(18); 575; doi: 10.1136/vr.k4748

Offering better equine dentistry services.

Abstract: Horse owner Anna Bowen describes why she uses a vet rather than an equine dentist for her horse's teeth.
Publication Date: 2018-11-11 PubMed ID: 30413588DOI: 10.1136/vr.k4748Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research article is a narrative by a horse owner, Anna Bowen, expressing her reasons for using a vet for her horse’s dental issues instead of an equine dentist.

Anna Bowen’s Argument

In the paper, Anna Bowen elaborates on why she chooses a veterinarian over an equine dentist to treat her horse’s dental needs. Her reasons include:

  • Veterinarians have a broader medical background: She amplifies that veterinarians have a holistic understanding of animal health that equine dentists might lack. They can diagnose and treat various health issues, viewing dental health in the context of overall equine wellness.
  • Veterinary legal accountability: Bowen also mentions the legal accountability of veterinarians. If a procedure goes wrong during a treatment, a vet has a governing body that a complaint can be lodged to, providing some form of redress. On the contrary, she argues, equine dentists do not have such layers of accountability.
  • Comprehensive care: Bowen stresses that her horse is not just getting dental care but comprehensive health care when taken to a vet. The vet can initiate other health checks during the dental consultations, which is beneficial to the overall health of the horse.

Implications of the Paper

From this narrative, the following implications can be drawn:

  • It highlights the importance of comprehensive medical knowledge in equine care. The intricacies of overall animal health should not be ignored while focusing on specialized aspects such as dentistry.
  • The research raises questions about the accountability system in place for niche professionals like equine dentists. It emphasizes the need for these professionals to be governed by a standard body that can hold them accountable in case of a mishandling.
  • Additionally, the paper underscores the benefits of all-rounded health assessments for horses rather than focusing only on specific areas like dental health. This suggests a need for a more integrated healthcare approach for horses.

Concluding Thoughts

Bowen’s perspective may point to consumer attitudes towards specialized animal healthcare services like equine dentistry. It stresses the importance for these niche professionals to not only have a deep specialized knowledge but also a broad understanding of overall equine health. There also appears to be a call for these specialized areas to have governing bodies for accountability purposes – a factor that may impact consumer trust and choice for these services.

Cite This Article

APA
(2018). Offering better equine dentistry services. Vet Rec, 183(18), 575. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.k4748

Publication

ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 183
Issue: 18
Pages: 575

Researcher Affiliations

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Dentistry / veterinary
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Veterinary Medicine / organization & administration

Citations

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