Snapshot of Equine Dentistry: Past, Present, and Future.

This research paper reviews and examines the evolution of equine dentistry over the years, its present practices, and possible future directions. Emphasizing on the transformation from mere livestock management services to a scientific health care discipline, the research also questions the validity and efficacy of several traditional dental procedures for horses.

Evolution of Equine Dentistry

• 20 years ago, equine dentistry was largely performed by so-called “Equine Dentists”.
• The procedures used had not significantly changed over the previous century, and most of them weren’t rooted in scientific evidence.
• Some of the common practices didn’t actually solve the indicated problems, and some even caused harm to the horses.

Transformation into a Scientific Discipline

• In the first decade of the 21st century, Drs Paddy Dixon and Jack Easley spearheaded efforts to transform equine dentistry from a livestock management service into a scientific health care discipline.
• During this same period, Dr David Klugh advocated for a shift in perspective, focusing equine dentists’ efforts on treating individual horses’ unique dental issues rather than applying a one-size-fits-all set of procedures.
• These efforts led to the development of specialized training and professional recognition for equine veterinary dentistry in North America.

Current Scrutiny and Future Direction

• Many traditional equine dental procedures are currently being critically examined for their appropriateness and effectiveness. These procedures include canine reduction, wolf tooth extraction, cheek tooth equilibration, incisor leveling, tooth repulsion, bit seats of premolars, and enamel point reduction.
• There’s a growing trend towards the adoption of conservative procedures that aim to preserve and enhance the overall dental health of horses in the long run.
• This issue of the Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice journal aims to spotlight topics that have seen recent advancements in equine dentistry.

Publication Selection

• The authors included in this issue have been selected based on their advanced knowledge and understanding of the highlighted topics. This combination aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the current state and future possibilities in the field of equine dentistry.