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Horsemanship Dentistry™ is based on 3 things: integrity, horsemanship, and dentistry skills in that order. Postgraduate training aims to ensure that the graduate achieves a minimum level of competency in all three areas. After you have completed your Postgraduate Level exam:
- You can say, “I am a Level (#) in Horsemanship Dentistry™.”
- You are listed on The Equine Practice website as a recognition of your Postgraduate Level (proof to clients).
- You will be preferred by horse owners looking for this style of equine dentistry.
There are 4 Postgraduate Levels:
- Postgraduate Level 1 – completed the Postgraduate Level 1 exam – and less than 1000 documented floats since graduation.
- Postgraduate Level 2 – Postgraduate Level 1 for 1 year plus approximately 1,000 documented floats since graduation.
- Postgraduate Level 3 – Postgraduate Level 2 for 1 year plus approximately 2,000 documented floats since graduation.
- Postgraduate Level 4 – Postgraduate Level 3 for 1 year plus approximately 3,000 documented floats since graduation.
- Postgraduate Level 5 – Postgraduate Level 4 for 1 year plus approximately 4,000 documented floats since graduation.
- Permanent Postgraduate Level – Postgraduate Level 5 for 1 year plus a minimum of 6,000 documented floats since graduation.
Reevaluation is required annually to achieve the next Postgraduate Level or maintain the current one. Anyone not meeting the minimum evaluation requirements is eligible again for certification after documenting at least another 100 floats and paying an additional fee. Without special arrangements with all instructors, anyone not passing two consecutive evaluations will become ineligible for future certification.
The Postgraduate Level cost includes up to three days of “hanging out” with one or more of the instructors as they teach the hands-on portion to students (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday). In other words, certification is on a Saturday following the hands-on training for students. This is a great refresher time and a way to help shrug off any nervousness you may have.
In addition, there will be a two-hour oral exam. The instructor will ask questions and develop discussions to determine a sense of two things. The first is your understanding of the theories, philosophies, and techniques of Horsemanship Dentistry™, and the second is to assess your integrity and ethics.
The Postgraduate Level 1 evaluation is more practical and less intellectual. It involves demonstrating every technique, discussing what they are and when to use them, and demonstrating their use on the horses. It also involves correctly evaluating the S and U scores both before and after and identifying any abnormalities. However, acting on any abnormalities, such as a fractured cheek tooth or caps and wolf teeth, is NOT required at this level.
In addition, every aspect of every tooth needs to be addressed, but not perfectly. You will not be required to blend the edge perfectly or get every nook and cranny. Identifying these missed areas is essential, though. This will come in time.
Identifying the different personalities of the horses being worked on is important. The horses presented for the evaluation will not be too hard to work with. However, telling the examiner what the horse is thinking and reacting to and how and why you act the way you do should align with what is taught in the school.
The oral exam will cover horsemanship, techniques, theories, and integrity. In addition, clients will often ask questions, and your answer will incorporate all of these concepts.
The evaluation will be judged on your working with 3 non-medicated horses. An instructor will assess the work before and after. In the evaluation, they will look for your ability to work comfortably around three non-medicated horses (or the accurate determination that the horse needs to be medicated) and assess your completed float. It takes a lot of floating to become perfect, but at this time, every enamel point should be removed (but not over-floated), and any abnormalities should be identified. There will be a time limit of 45 minutes per horse for the work to be done.
In addition, there will be a one-hour oral exam. The instructor will ask questions and develop discussions to determine a sense of two things. The first is your understanding of the theories, philosophies, and techniques of Horsemanship Dentistry™, and the second is to assess your integrity and ethics. The remaining part of the oral exam will be done while working on the horses with the horse owner present.
The Postgraduate Level 2 evaluation is equal parts practical and intellectual. The evaluation is similar to Level 1, but what is looked for is a level of confidence and a degree of leadership of horses and the horse owner that reflects your experience.
The evaluation includes a deeper discussion of the theories and a more comfortable approach to answering client questions. Interpretation of the horse’s personality and the leadership skills applied to the horse should be quickly evident. If abnormalities, caps, or wolf teeth are found during the evaluation (or are not found), then a thorough discussion should be clear, and an approach should be made, but an actual attempt on the issue will not be required.
In essence, growth in your ability and confidence over the first evaluation should be evident, but perfection is still not expected.
The evaluation will be judged based on your work with 4 non-medicated horses. An instructor will assess the work before and after. In the evaluation, they will look for your ability to work comfortably around four different non-medicated horses (or the accurate determination that the horse needs to be medicated) and assess your completed float. It takes a lot of floating to become perfect, but at this time, every enamel point should be removed (but not over-floated), and any abnormalities should be identified. There will be a time limit of 35 minutes per horse for the work to be done.
The oral exam will be done while working on the horses with the horse owner present. They will be instructed to ask you questions that will test not only your understanding but also your ability to convey all the theories of dentistry, as well as the discussion of horsemanship and identification of horse personality with the owner.
The Postgraduate Level 3 evaluation is equal parts practical and intellectual. It is similar to Levels 1 and 2, but what is looked for is a level of confidence and a degree of leadership, both of horses and of the horse owner, that reflects your experience.
The evaluation includes a deeper discussion of the theories and a more comfortable approach to answering clients’ questions. Interpretation of the horse’s personality and the leadership skills applied to the horse should be quickly evident. If abnormalities, caps, or wolf teeth are found during the evaluation (or are not found), then a thorough discussion should be clear and an approach made. If possible, the abnormality will be addressed.
Your growth in ability and confidence over the first and second evaluations should be apparent. Perfection is still not expected, but nooks, crannies, and blending the edges should be accomplished now. Any over-eruptions or unusual sharp edges associated with sockets should have an attempt made on removal.
The evaluation will be judged on you working with 4 to 5 non-medicated horses. An instructor will assess the work before and after. In the evaluation, they will look for your ability to work comfortably around four or five different non-medicated horses (or the accurate determination that the horse needs to be medicated) and assess your completed float. It takes a lot of floating to become perfect, but at this time, every enamel point should be removed (but not over-floated), and any abnormalities should be identified. There will be a time limit of 35 minutes per horse for the basic work to be done.
The oral exam will be done while working on the horses with the horse owner present. They will be instructed to ask you questions that will test not only your understanding but also your ability to convey all the theories of dentistry, as well as the discussion of horsemanship and identification of horse personality with the owner.
Postgraduate Level 5 -The minimum requirement for evaluation is at least 1 year at Postgraduate Level 4 plus approximately 4000 documented horses floated using Horsemanship Dentistry™ since graduation.
The evaluation will be judged based on your work with 5 non-medicated horses. An instructor will assess the work before and after. In the evaluation, they will look for your ability to work comfortably around four or five different non-medicated horses (or the accurate determination that the horse needs to be medicated) and assess your completed float. It takes a lot of floating to become perfect, but at this time, every enamel point should be removed (but not over-floated), and any abnormalities should be identified. There will be a time limit of 30 minutes per horse for the basic work to be done.
The oral exam will be done while working on the horses with the horse owner present. They will be instructed to ask you questions that will test not only your understanding but also your ability to convey all the theories of dentistry, as well as the discussion of horsemanship and identification of horse personality with the owner.
Instructor Level -The minimum requirement for evaluation is at least 1 year at Level 5 certification plus a minimum of 6000 documented horses floated using Horsemanship Dentistry™ since graduation.
The evaluation will judge you on your teaching of other graduates or students or certification exams. After all, there is no better way to determine your ability than to teach others effectively.
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Links to the other module details
Module 1 – The Essentials of Equine Dentistry
Module 2 – Anatomy and Terminology
Module 3 – Basic and Advanced Fundamentals
Module 4 – Applying Horsemanship to Equine Dentistry
Module 5 – The Process, Equipment and Techniques
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