Equine Dentistry Education

CAREER CHOICE: EQUINE DENTISTRY

Training with the Australian Equine Dental Practice has been a stepping stone to a career for many.  What the horse experiences during treatment is most important and treatment methods associated with this make the training widely respected. 

We teach equine dentistry trainees a caring approach that uses effective and measured methods which respect the natural structure of equine dentition with the aim of restoring dental conformation over a period of time. No other persons are accredited by AEDP founder Peter Borgdorff to teach these methods. The word 'academy' or 'school' is not used, because the AEDP course is a private Course. The AEDP standard of education is unlike any government accredited Diploma-level training as it is fully developed within the equine industry and not by bureaucrats.

The qualification enables successful trainees to practice as Diploma qualified equine dental practitioners in the field of equine dentistry. The course is typically 25 weeks in duration for non-veterinarians. Additionally, valuable practice support is offered for twelve months after successful completion of the course.

COURSE MODEL

The AEDP Diploma qualification provides for a comprehensive equine dentistry related theory subject base in conjunction with extensive practical competencies. The Course currently offered by the Australian Equine Dental Practice has been developed by an experienced equine dental practitioner acutely aware of what course content is required to provide the best equine dental care model.

From evolutionary anatomy and disease processes to treatment planning and nutritional advice, the intensive equine dentistry course goes well beyond that of other courses or traineeships currently offered by other organisations or institutions. The key is the process by which broad, yet in-depth knowledge leads to a sound diagnostic and treatment approach which respects natural dental function. Whether you are a Veterinary Surgeon and would like to do a postgraduate course or you are an experienced horse professional who wants to train in the field, contact us and we can provide you with more information.

EQUINE DENTISTRY COURSE DELIVERY

The Diploma of Equine Dentistry Course has the following format:

• Part 1: 12 weeks theory by distance education
• Part 2: 4 weeks practical on-site training (vets 3 weeks)
• Part 3: 6 weeks theory by distance education
• Part 4: 3 weeks practical on-site training

COURSE DATES AND PARTICIPATION

• Course Frequency and Participation
  • There will be a two Courses starting in 2024 with the number of participants in each limited to 4 people. This allows good quality face-to-face tuition and practical instruction with personal evaluation during the entire Course.
• Diploma of Equine Dentistry 2024a
  • The 2024a Course will start with distance education on 26 February 2024. The Course finishes on 23 August 2024. Veterinary participants have slightly different dates due to it having different content. Closing date for applications is 8 January 2024 and earliest approved applications will be given priority. The level of interest in this Course is high. Download 2024a Course Info
• Diploma of Equine Dentistry 2024b
  • The 2024a Course will start with distance education on 18 November 2024. The Course finishes on 23 August 2024. Veterinary participants have slightly different dates due to it having different content. Closing date for applications is 19 September 2024 and earliest approved applications will be given priority. Download 2024b Course Info

ENQUIRIES

After you download and read the Course Brochures, please make initial enquires to Peter Borgdorff via email to peter@equinedentalpractice.com or by calling 0414 566 789 (Int +61 414 566 789).

Before you proceed with an enquiry or application, you may like to give some thought to:

• Making a list of questions you may have.
• Exploring the possibility of spending a day with an AEDP Graduate or myself.
• Preparing a preliminary business plan. Possibly have a discussion with a business advisor. Consider your course and equipment funding as well as estimated income as part of this process.
• Sharing with me your CV and any questions to help you decide if application should be your next step.

When required, application information will be provided to you.

OUR APPROACH TO EQUINE DENTISTRY

There are a number of issues to consider when deciding on how to learn skills required to practice equine dentistry. Equine dentistry may be a suitable career for caring, fastidious and reputable people.  The industry needs those who base their career on methods that are sound and proven by the test of time. Different courses teach different methods. Some are scientifically based, some are not. 

Equine dental treatment must be carried out correctly. It must avoid the use of poor equipment and aggressive treatment with basic power tools. Owners of horses should be aware of the hazards of removing substantial amounts of dental material and even more so when these tools (crude grinders) are applied without continuous water cooling.

• Operating an equine dental practice requires more than just a basic knowledge of dentistry. There are ethical and business matters to be dealt with as part of the operation of a practice.
• Dental and soft tissue examinations are very precisely carried out with manual palpation. The touch of fingers to assess all of the teeth structures and soft tissues allows even small abnormalities to be quickly recorded. Similarly, only this method ensures that the correct amount of dental material is removed as visual observation is inaccurate and deceptive. Many weeks professional training are required just to master this skill and plan correct treatment.
• Manual treatment equipment may appear basic but has been carefully designed for excellent oral access with a minimum of stress to the horse.  Efforts by some to introduce crude power tools goes contrary to good practice and consideration of the horse. 
• The need to sedate a large percentage of horses must also be questioned. Deaths are known to have occurred where horses have reacted violently to the use of intrusive machines. The excessive opening of a horse's mouth only for the sake of getting access with machines or visual examination is to be rejected completely.

FOOTNOTE

Since 2006 Peter Borgdorff applied substantial effort to the preparation of the national accreditation of the Certificate IV as well as the Diploma of Equine Dentistry. He was a member of the National Reference Group (Agrifoods) on behalf of the National Equine Dental Practitioners Inc. (NEDP) and the AEDP. The National Accreditation planning towards the Diploma of Equine Dentistry qualification was terminated as it was opposed by the Equine Dental Association of Australia (EDAA) and the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA- Equine Veterinarians). Both parties had vested interests in not formalising the status of Equine Dentistry at that level.

The AEDP decided to provide the planned higher-level Diploma training as a private course.

Properly informed veterinarians strongly support the work of the National Equine Dental Practitioners Association (NEDP members and our ethics. They work with us regularly and do not engage in anti-competitive behaviour but instead are committed to team work for the benefit of your horse.