Dental exam Flashcards
What are the steps to a dental exam?
Step 1 - Sedation
* Sedate the horse if required
* This may be an alpha-2 or combination
Step 2 - Incisor examination
* Alignment
* Missing teeth
* Diastema
* Impacted food
* Fractures
Step 3 - Placing the gag
* Place the headcollar around the horses neck
* Fasten the head strap on a loose hole and place over the horses head
* Offer the mouth piece like a bit, fitting the plate firmly between the incisors
* Tighten the head strap
* Ensure the incisors are against the front of the mouth piece
* Open the mouth gradually, one side at a time
* Ensure the teeth are still at the front of the mouth piece before proceeding
Step 4 - Rinse the mouth
* Using a flusher(big syringe), rinse both sides of the mouth, allowing the water to empty
Step 5 - Thorough oral examination
* Use gloves, head torch and mirror
* You may wish to use a head stand for the rest of the procedure
* Look for:
◦ Mucosal inflammation or ulceration
◦ Sharp enamel points on cheek teeth
◦ Alignment of upper and lower arcades
◦ Infundibular and Peripheral Caries
◦ Diastamata
◦ Missing teeth
◦ Fractures
* Note any pathology on a dental chart
Step 6 - Releasing the gag
* Remove the head from the head stand
* Close the mouth by nipping both handles firmly
