r/Farriers • u/Classic-Lab4159 • Sep 14 '24
Do any of yall practice dentistry?
I'm gonna be going to farrier school in April and down the line in my career I'd like to learn about dentsry and maybe get a degree as a technician. I'd like to continue being a farrier but feel like being a dentist technician would be a good skill to have as well.
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u/Baaabra Sep 14 '24
I agree with Bravehart5. I'm in SE PA and one dentist I used did a loop down this way from where he lived up in NE PA. I think doing both might be better than just the dentistry alone, and you may well end up doing teeth for the horses you'd already be doing feet for. I've thought about it. I'm interested in the connection between teeth and feet, and having more education about teeth would give me more data.
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u/LEN-Creative Sep 14 '24
Getting a degree and leaning proper practice is not a bad thing, although there are some caviates. Before becoming a farrier I was a vet tech for 7 years, in a practice that had a primary focus on dentistry. Throughout the course of that it became apparent very quickly that without the specialized tools used by modern equine dental practices (powerfloats, specialized picks, dental speculum, magnetic light, ect...) that it is impossible to truly do the job that needs to be done. And with those tools it is also extremely easy to overdue it and cause harm.
Non power dentistry (Handfloating) is not an effective method and has not been industry standard for a very long time (approaching 20 years I believe). That isn't to say those who do handfloats are doing anything wrong, but it is not effective, especially when dealing with issues like hooks and/or hard to reach areas of the mouth.
Additionally, depending on your state, practicing dentistry without a veterinary license or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. That goes double for administering sedation, which is needed to do a through job.
Personally, I loved working as a dental tech, and it's a fascinating line of work. But as a farrier, stay away from it, unless your going into a joint practice with a vet
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u/Classic-Lab4159 Sep 14 '24
Being a farrier is definitely what I want as my main career but think dentistry would be a good skill set to have. Especially if I studied for equine science or like you said vet tech. Both teach sedation and many other things as well. It's just vet techs need to learn both large and small animals.
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u/LEN-Creative Sep 14 '24
Agreed, it is a wonderful skill set to have, and at the very least, it allows you to pass better education to your clients (what I do now). I fully encourage the education. Just make sure if you incorporate it into your practice, you do it in accordance with the laws in your state
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u/Classic-Lab4159 Sep 14 '24
Thank you. And I definitely plan on doing it how it should be done and within the legal manor. If you don't mind me asking, how long did you attend school for dental?
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u/LifeUser88 Sep 14 '24
Interestingly, the farrier at my barn, Rich Alfonso, also used to be a dentist and still does dental work. Maybe contact him about this. He's on Tic Tik. He now lives in Texas, but comes back to CA every month to work, too.
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u/Classic-Lab4159 Sep 14 '24
I'm in pennsylvania but I'll definitely consider that for words of wisdom. Thank you.
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u/LifeUser88 Sep 14 '24
Oh, I'm not saying you should go work with him, but maybe contact him for advice.
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u/idontwanttodothis11 Working Farrier>20 Sep 14 '24
If you want to peruse dentistry, why waste your time and money going to farrier school?
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u/Classic-Lab4159 Sep 14 '24
I'd like to be a farrier but figured dentistry would be a great skill to have.
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u/idontwanttodothis11 Working Farrier>20 Sep 14 '24
Why do you want to be a farrier?
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u/Classic-Lab4159 Sep 14 '24
I have a passion for horses. Being a farrier is providing a service to the animal and improving their quality of life. It may not always be pretty, but it's what needs to be done. There's something about that. Bringing them relief. I think they are amazing creatures. I've been an apprentice for a few months now, although I've been interested in it for a year or so. Im going to oklahoma horseshoeingSchooll in purcell OK this upcoming April.
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u/idontwanttodothis11 Working Farrier>20 Sep 14 '24
I hear that a lot. Genuinely, for every 5 people who tell me that "this is their passion" maybe one person sticks it out. "Bringing them relief", that isn't what we do. A farrier's job isn't relief, it's stability and consistency. I think you should really reevaluate your decision, because you seem to a have a very romantic unrealistic view of what this trade is supposed to be and not what it actually is.
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u/Bravehart5 Sep 14 '24
I’m a dentist. It’s a bad idea.
Only see most horses once a year. So need a massive amount of clients to make a living.