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Horsemanship Dentistry™ is based on 3 things: integrity, horsemanship, and dentistry skills in that order. The purpose of certification is to ensure that a minimum level of competency has been achieved by the graduate in all of these three areas. After you have completed your certification exam:
- You can say, “I am Certified in Horsemanship Dentistry™.”
- You are listed on the website HorsemanshipDentistry.com as recognition of your certification (proof to clients).
- You will be preferred by horse owners looking for this style of equine dentistry.
There are 4 levels of Certification:
- Certification Level 1 – have completed the certification exam – and less than 1000 documented floats since graduation.
- Certification Level 2 – certified Level 1 for 1 year plus approximately 1,000 documented floats since graduation.
- Certification Level 3 – certified Level 2 for 1 year plus approximately 2,000 documented floats since graduation.
- Certification Level 4 – certified Level 3 for 1 year plus approximately 3,000 documented floats since graduation.
- Certification Level 5 – certified Level 4 for 1 year plus approximately 4,000 documented floats since graduation.
- Permanent Certification – certified Level 5 for 1 year plus a minimum of 6,000 documented floats since graduation.
Reevaluation is required annually to either achieve the next certification level or to maintain the current level. Anyone not meeting the minimum requirements of the evaluation are eligible again for certification after documenting at least another 100 floats and paying an additional fee. Anyone not passing 2 consecutive evaluations will become ineligible for future certification without special arrangements with all of the instructors.
Included in the certification cost are up to 3 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 as well as a way to help shrug off any nervousness you may have.
In addition, there will be a two hour oral exam where the instructor will ask a series of questions and develop discussions in order to determine a sense for two specific things. The first is your understanding of the theories, philosophies, and techniques of Horsemanship Dentistry™ and the second is to determine your integrity and ethics.
The Level 1 Certification evaluation is more practical and less intellectual. It is about the ability of demonstrating every technique and to discuss what they are, when to use them, and to demonstrate their use on the horses. The correct evaluation of the S and U scores both before and after and the identification of 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 important though. This will come in time.
The identification of 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 as well as how and why you act the way you do should be in alignment with what is taught in the school.
Questions in the oral exam will cover horsemanship, techniques, theories and integrity. In addition, there will be questions often asked by clients and how you would answer them will incorporate all of these concepts.
The evaluation will be judged on you working with 3 non-medicated horses. An instructor will assess the work before and after. What they will be looking for in the evaluation is your ability to work comfortably around three different and non-medicated horses (or the accurate determination that the horse needs to be medicated) and to 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 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 where the instructor will ask a series of questions and develop discussions in order to determine a sense for two specific things. The first is your understanding of the theories, philosophies, and techniques of Horsemanship Dentistry™ and the second is to determine 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 Level 2 Certification evaluation is equal parts of 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 both of horses and of the horse owner that is a reflection of your experience.
Included in the evaluation is a deeper discussion of the theories and a more comfortable approach to answering questions asked by clients. Interpretation of the horse’s personalities and the leadership skills applied to the horse should be easily evident. If any abnormalities or caps or wolf teeth are found during the evaluation (or are not found), then a thorough discussion should be clear and an approach 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 clear, but perfection is still not expected.
The evaluation will be judged on you working with 3 non-medicated horses. An instructor will assess the work before and after. What they will be looking for in the evaluation is your ability to work comfortably around four different and non-medicated horses (or the accurate determination that the horse needs to be medicated) and to 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 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 not only test your understanding, but 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 Level 3 Certification evaluation is equal parts of practical and intellectual. The evaluation is similar to Level 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 is a reflection of your experience.
Included in the evaluation is a deeper discussion of the theories and a more comfortable approach to answering questions asked by clients. Interpretation of the horse’s personalities and the leadership skills applied to the horse should be easily evident. If any abnormalities or 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.
In essence, growth in your ability and confidence over the first and second evaluation should be clear. Perfection is still not expected but at this point nooks and crannies and blending the edges should be accomplished. 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. What they will be looking for in the evaluation is your ability to work comfortably around four or five different and non-medicated horses (or the accurate determination that the horse needs to be medicated) and to 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 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 not only test your understanding, but your ability to convey all the theories of dentistry as well as the discussion of horsemanship and identification of horse personality with the owner.
Level 5 Certification -Minimum requirement for evaluation is at least 1 year at Level 4 certification plus approximately 4000 documented horses floated using Horsemanship Dentistry™ since graduation.
The evaluation will be judged on you working with 5 non-medicated horses. An instructor will assess the work before and after. What they will be looking for in the evaluation is your ability to work comfortably around four or five different and non-medicated horses (or the accurate determination that the horse needs to be medicated) and to 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 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 not only test your understanding, but your ability to convey all the theories of dentistry as well as the discussion of horsemanship and identification of horse personality with the owner.
Permanent Certification -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 be judged on you teaching other graduates or students or certification exams. After all, there is no better way to determine your ability than to effectively teach others.
All certification levels:
Students who are successful in certification will sign an agreement acknowledging that when working as an equine dentist certified in Horsemanship Dentistry™ they will uphold the principles set forth in the agreement. The reason for this is that when horse owners look for this type of dentistry, they will know exactly what they are getting when they hire an equine dentist certified in Horsemanship Dentistry™.
Instructor – By invitation only to dentists that have become permanently certified.
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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
Back to School Structure