BLACKSBURG, Va., March 1, 2005 – The student chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine recently presented an equine dental seminar for about 60 registrants.
On the opening evening, guest speaker Dr. Claudia True spoke on incorporating dentistry into private practice, exclusive dental practice, and the pros and cons associated with equine dentistry. Dr. Jack Easley discussed dental anatomy, physiology of mastication, and age-related changes in teeth. Dr. B.A. Rucker then focused his presentation on equine dentistry.
On Saturday morning, Easley and Rucker discussed the systemic approach to examining the equine mastication system. They also went over the Triadan numbering system, dental nomenclature, charting and record keeping. Easley and Rucker finished up their presentation with a discussion on incisor excursion and molar angle occlusion.
Rucker then spoke about equine dental diseases, such as abnormal occlusions, abnormal dental wear patterns, conditions that interfere with bitting, diastema, periodontal disease, and caries. Easley then discussed bits and bitting.
True followed with a presentation on dental corrective procedures and instrumentation, and routine prophylactic and corrective dental care. Floating, occlusal equilibration, extraction of wolf teeth, deciduous tooth removal, and instruments used for routine dentistry were a few of the topics covered.
Easley then lectured on oral and dental abnormalities. Easley covered such thing as wry nose, supernumerary teeth, root canal therapy, oral and dental tumors, tooth extractions, sinus disease, parrot mouth, and decayed teeth in his lecture.
The participants were then allowed to gain some hands-on experience as they evaluated and performed routine dental corrective procedures on equine cadavers.
On Sunday morning, the participants were instructed on proper restraint and examination of the equine mouth. Routine dental corrective procedures were performed using various hand tools and power instruments.
Hill's Pet Foods, Boehringer, and Albert's helped sponsor the event.