MVMA Equine Dental Seminar

Popular MVMA Equine Dental Seminar has another successful year.

MVMA Hosts Equine Dental Seminar

It was a busy weekend for 15 veterinarians who attended the MVMA Equine Committee’s Fall Equine Dental Seminar. The course was held September 30-October 2, 2023 at the Missouri Humane Society’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch and offered 18.5 hours of MVMA Academy-approved continuing education. The seminar attracted attendees from as far away as Montana, Utah and Virginia. 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 39 of the ranch’s horses Tired but happy! Instructors, attendees and Longmeadow waiting for adoption. The dollar value of these services is estimated at over $8,000. 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 in the State of Missouri. 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 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 since 2009

Left: Julie Braun asists Dr. Bruce Whittle with one of the ranches many horses. Center: Dr. Dennis Rach (right) gives instructions prior to the hands-on portion of the seminar. Right: Dr. Cathy Hicks assists in a procedure on the ranches’ rescued mule.