Equine dentistry offense studied by Oklahoma House panel
Only veterinarians legally can work on horses’ teeth
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Published: November 6, 2009
Equine dentists should continue to face criminal charges for working on horses unless they are under the supervision of licensed veterinarians, a legislator told a House committee Thursday.
Horsemen, veterinarians and others interested in who should clean horses’ teeth fill two House committee rooms during Thursday’s interim legislative study on the topic. Photo BY PAUL B. SOUTHERLAND, THE OKLAHOMAN
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Pursuing charges
Mike Johnston of Edmond, a veterinarian with the Equine Medical Association, complained to the House Public Health Committee that district attorneys don’t have time to pursue misdemeanor actions against equine dentists.
Renegar, D-McAlester, dismissed arguments from horsemen that they needed equine dentists because they can’t find veterinarians to take care of their horses’ teeth. He said 353 of 1,807 veterinarians in the state practice equine dentistry. The state’s veterinary board is aware of about 30 horse floaters in the state, he said.
In the past 10 years, no horses were injured or died from dental injuries while under the care of veterinarians; six horses were injured and one died after receiving care from equine dentists during the same time period, Renegar said.
"Lay people are simply not trained well enough,” he said.
Right to choose
Renegar, a veterinarian, said teeth in horses continue to grow, and they should be filed down at least once a year to prevent sharp edges from cutting gums and to ensure horses chew food properly.
Representatives of horse owners and trainers told committee members horse owners should have the right to choose who treats their horses, some of which can cost several million dollars.
Robert Hubbard, past president of the Oklahoma Paint Horse Club, said equine dentists have done a good job and should not be punished for practicing their skill.
"We don’t want to put people in jail for working on horses,” said Hubbard, of Bethany.
Cathy Kirkpatrick, executive director of the state Board of Veterinary Examiners, said the state also has 273 registered veterinarian technicians who are able to do some procedures without a vet present. Equine dentists could take the required two years’ schooling to become veterinarian technicians, she said.
Using sedatives
Lee McGrath, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Institute for Justice, said many equine dentists don’t use sedatives on horses, and those who do can have the owner administer the drug. State law allows a horse owner or an employee to administer drugs to horses, he said.
Last year’s arrest of an equine dentist who had several bottles of sedatives sparked concern that drugs were being obtained and used illegally.
Veterinarians found giving drugs to equine dentists not under their supervision also face being charged with a misdemeanor, Renegar said.
Renegar and other veterinarians said sedatives are necessary before doing dental work to help control the animal and relieve pain.
"Doing a dental without sedation can almost be inhumane,” said Deroy White, a veterinarian with the Sapulpa Veterinary Hospital.
Another House committee will look at the topic next week.
Related Topics:
U.S. State Government, U.S. Government, Crime, Health and Fitness, Dental and Oral Health, Veterinary Medicine
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