The Missouri Veterinary Medical Board has determined that no one can legally perform dental treatments on horses without the presence of a veterinarian, whether or not sedation is utilized while performing the treatment.

The use of sedation for routine dental care is not normally a requirement. If handled properly, most horses will stand quietly and allow for the procedure with no harm or discomfort to the horse. It does however take a person who is not only knowledgeable in the handling of the horse, but one who can also complete the procedure in the correct fashion as well. We will refer to this individual as an Equine Dental Specialist

More harm can be done with the ineffective use of power tools and sedation, than could be done by any Equine Dental Specialist that does not use sedation and hand tools. There are many horses too old, or in too poor condition to stand up to the rigors of sedation and therefore denied treatment that could help them get healthy.

Many Equine Dental Specialists are being put out of business because of the requirement to have a veterinarian present. This causes undue financial hardship to both the Equine Dental Specialist and the equine owner, with no added value. Paying a vet to be present during routine Equine Dentals is very costly and in most instances, nearly impossible or cost prohibitive.

 Many vets do not offer Dentals or would simply rather not do them. Others simply do not have the time. Not allowing a Dental Specialist to continue to practice is a disservice to the equine community, and the horses.

As a citizen, I am afforded the right to choose my primary care provider, why am I not allowed to make same choice for my horse?

If you agree that Equine Dental Specialists that do not need or use sedation should be able to practice without a veterinarian present, please sign this petition in hopes of drawing attention to this issue and getting these laws changed for Equine Dental Specialists. There are many good Equine Dental Specialists who will be forced to stop practicing and helping our animals because of these laws.

This not only affects me, and who I choose to work on my animals, it affects ALL of us. Please sign the petition.

Additionally, if you are upset about this and believe you have the right to choose what form of care your beloved equine receives, and would like to do something to change the state laws governing Equine Dental Specialists in the state of Missouri, here is how you can help:

Type a letter and mail to: Missouri Veterinary Medical Board PO Box 633 Jefferson City, MO 65102  In this letter you need to include the following:

• Address it to the board, for example: Dear Missouri State Veterinary Board,
• At the end of the letter you need to include your printed name and your signature
• The letter should contain:
• your opinion of the law;
• your opinion of my case;
• how your Dental Specialist has helped your animal(s)-without naming names;
• any instances when your Equine Dental Specialist has deferred care for veterinary care when the problem was not treatable;
• state that you would like the board rule governing Equine Dentistry changed;
• feel free to provide any other words of wisdom but the above should be answered if applicable

Please note these decisions, made by those we have paid via taxes to work on our behalf, impact all of us and are not in concert with the desires of those who support them financially (YES IN EFFECT WE PAY FOR THEIR JOBS).  If you want to understand the breadth of reach and over-regulation being imposed, you can view the letter that was sent to a Missouri chiropractor as well at the link below: https://www.facebook.com/mcqueenanimalchiropractic/posts/582337765287193?comment_id=582758905245079&notif_t=feed_comment_reply&notif_id=1472701932292194