MVMA Equine Dental Seminar

After a two-year hiatus, the MVMA Equine Dental Seminar is back.

MVMA Hosts Equine Dental Seminar

It was a busy weekend for 16 veterinarians who attended the MVMA Equine Committee’s Fall Equine Dental Seminar. The course was held September 10-12, 2021 at the Missouri Humane Society’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch and offered 18.5 hours of state licensing board-approved continuing education. The seminar attracted attendees from as far away as Alaska. The lecture was sponsored by PowerFloat, Inc., Zoetis Animal Health and the MVMA. The course covered oral cavity anatomy/physiology; dental instruments and techniques; sedation techniques; dental pathology and treatment; and a hands-on dental wet lab utilizing rescued horses at the Humane Society’s farm. Veterinarian attendees performed various dental treatments at no charge on 37 of the ranch’s horses A job well done! Instructors, attendees and Longmeadow waiting for adoption. The dollar value of these services is estimated at over $7,400. Rescue Ranch staff gather for a photo after the seminar. The expertise of these veterinarians underscores the need to involve a licensed veterinarian in equine dental care. Equine dentistry practiced without the involvement of a veterinarian is illegal and unauthorized without oversight by any state entity. The presenters at the lecture were Dr. Dennis Rach and Dr. Bruce Whittle. Dr. Rach is a former member of Moore & Co. Veterinary Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He continues to practice on a part-time basis and develop new modalities for equine dentistry. Dr. Bruce Whittle is a predominantly large animal veterinarian and co-owner of a mixed animal practice with his wife, Gayla, in Trenton, Missouri. He has a passion for dentistry and has been actively involved in teaching dentistry short courses at numerous veterinary colleges through the AAEP over the past 10 years. During Saturday evening’s dinner, an award plaque was presented to Dr. Rach for his 10 years of service to the dental seminar as an instructor. Dr. Whittle used his woodworking skills to construct the plaque made from Missouri walnut.

Left: Dr. Cody Secrest (left) makes adjustments with the help of Dr. Dawn Mrad, Longmeadow’s attending veterinarian. Center: Dr. Bruce Whittle (left) with Dr. Dennis Rach during the award presentation. Right: Dr. Dennis Rach (right) assists Dr. Annette Llanes who made the trip from Fairbanks, Alaska.