Coalition for Oklahoma Teeth Floaters
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
STATES ALLOWING OR EXEMPTING EQUINE TEETH FLOATING ARIZONA CALIFORNIA CONNECTICUT FLORIDA ILLINOIS MINNESOTA OHIO NEW HAMPSHIRE OREGON VERMONT MARYLAND VIRGINIA PENNSYLVANIA LOUISIANA SOUTH CAROLINA MANY STATES, SUCH AS OKLAHOMA, DO NOT MENTION "EQUINE TEETH FLOATING" ANYWHERE IN THEIR ENTIRE PRACTICE ACT, BUT INCLUDE THE WORD "DENTISTRY" MOST STATES ALLOW NORMAL ACTS OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, SUCH AS HORSESHOEING AND EQUINE TEETH FLOATING MOST STATES, INCLUDING OKLAHOMA, EXEMPT ANIMAL OWNERS AND HIS EMPLOYEES FROM PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES TO THE OWNERS ANIMALS OKLAHOMA IS ONE OF ONLY 5 STATES IN WHICH THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE W/OUT A LICENSE IS CONSIDERED A FELONY OFFENSE. THE OTHERS ARE ARE NEW YORK, FLORIDA, MICHIGAN AND NEVADA, HOWEVER: IN FLORIDA TEETH FLOATING IS EXEMPT IN MICHIGAN, DENTISTRY IS NOT LISTED IN THEIR PRACTICE ACT UNDER THE DEFINITION OF THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. EQUINE TEETH FLOATING IS ALSO NOT MENTIONED IN THEIR PRACTICE ACT. GRADUATES OF NON- VETERINARY APPROVED EDUCATION PROGRAMS CAN BE GRANTED A LIMITED LICENSE UNDER MICHIGAN LAW. IN NEVADA, DENTISTRY IS INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, HOWEVER EQUINE TEETH FLOATING IS NOT MENTIONED IN THEIR PRACTICE ACT. ACCEPTED LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ARE PERMITTED IN NEVADA. IN NEW YORK, DENTISTRY IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, NOR IS EQUINE TEETH FLOATING MENTIONED IN THEIR PRACTICE ACT. |
The Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), has recently listed on the home page of their website a link to OSU's curriculum for
students studying equine science as it pertains to equine dentistry. We would like to clarify that Oklahoma State University does not offer
equine dentistry as an elective course at this time, however there is talk that it will be added shortly. Extensive knowledge of oral health and
disease does not give one the ability to properly perform dental equilibration, just as extensive knowledge of lameness and diseases of the
foot does not automatically give a vet student the ability to provide farrier services. We are confident that equine teeth floating will be taught
on a more extensive level to future students at most colleges of veterinary medicine due to the legislative efforts in Oklahoma.
Dr. Raymond Hyde, DVM, founded the American School of Equine Dentistry because he felt he did not acquire the necessary skills in vet
school and recognized an overwhelming need for it. His school is open to members of the public as well as veterinarians. Furthermore,
individuals such as Dr. Tom Allen, DVM, also attended schools of equine dentistry after graduating from veterinary school. Dr. Allen says "I
have supported the good work of the non-veterinary equine dental practitioners for several years now, after seeing the benefits of thorough
dental care shown to me by several of the non-vet group".
Much of what is included in the veterinary curriculum pertains to oral health, disease and the broad spectrum of "dentistry" and not
necessarily to floating teeth. There are many equine veterinarians who have gone above and beyond to actually learn how to properly float
teeth, however, the majority have not, which is why many horse owners prefer the services of a non-DVM teeth floater. We surveyed 150
Oklahoma horse owners (at random) regarding this issue. None of the results were altered or deleted. to view the results.
The Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (OBVME) conducted a survey of equine veterinarians regarding equine dentistry.
256 Oklahoma Veterinarians stated they DO provide teeth floating services. There are fewer than 100 equine-exclusive vets in the entire state,
which means that the veterinarians who provide this service, do so on a very limited basis because the majority of them focus on small
animals as the scope of their practice. Many horse owners prefer to use someone who specializes in certain areas (i.e., massage therapists,
chiropractors and teeth floaters), not someone who does it part time or as a hobby. We are not implying that someone who floats teeth on a
part time basis is not good at it, but naturally, someone who specializes in the area will be more experienced and thus more qualified.
Under the current legislation, it is legal for a veterinarian to hire a non-DVM teeth floater, as a regular employee and under direct supervision,
to provide this service. The problem therein lies with what is "direct supervision". Many equine veterinarians often utilize non-DVM lay
persons to provide teeth floating services, however, most of those veterinarians are not trained on the latest techniques and equipment and
therefore are not capable of properly supervising someone who is more knowledgeable than they are. Therefore, it is unfair to the horse
owner, the veterinarian and the non-DVM teeth floater to force these individuals to work only under the employment of a veterinarian. It is
also unfair to the veterinarian to make him liable for someone's else's work, especially when liability insurance is available to teeth floaters
(but only in state's where it is NOT considered a felony to provide this service).
Beginning April 30. 2009, Registered Veterinary Technician's (RVT's) will be allowed to sedate horses and float their teeth, unsupervised.
That's great news for vet tech's (who spend 2 years learning about a multitude of things and virtually nothing about dental equilibration in
horses), but it doesn't provide a viable solution for teeth floaters (who have no desire to be vet tech's). In order for an individual to begin
working on teeth (providing very basic floating and equilibration), one must attend nearly 300 hours of hands on training. In order to reach
the level of Master Equine Dentist it can take literally years. We spoke to 5 equine-exclusive vet tech's and each one stated she didn't learn
teeth floating as part of her training in vet tech school and that she had no desire to float teeth and is not aware of any vet tech who is. It is
truly unconstitutional to deny teeth floaters the right to work in this state and furthermore, to remove the RIGHT OF CHOICE from the horse
owner. Teeth floating is not nearly as invasive as shoeing, castrating, dehorning or branding, which are legal for anyone to do without any
training or supervision whatsoever. Oklahoma Veterinary Technician Association
Murray State College - Vet Tech Program - AG 1543 -- Equine Evaluation. Prerequisite: None. This course deals with the evaluation of a horse's conformation and performance. Topics
covered in this course include: terms used in judging horse conformation, evaluation of the horse's conformation and structural soundness, evaluating and judging a horse show, and expressing oral
reasons. Also discussed in this course are the blemishes and unsoundnesses of the hurrays, and determining age by teeth. Two lecture and two laboratory hours a week. Credit: Three semester hours.
students studying equine science as it pertains to equine dentistry. We would like to clarify that Oklahoma State University does not offer
equine dentistry as an elective course at this time, however there is talk that it will be added shortly. Extensive knowledge of oral health and
disease does not give one the ability to properly perform dental equilibration, just as extensive knowledge of lameness and diseases of the
foot does not automatically give a vet student the ability to provide farrier services. We are confident that equine teeth floating will be taught
on a more extensive level to future students at most colleges of veterinary medicine due to the legislative efforts in Oklahoma.
Dr. Raymond Hyde, DVM, founded the American School of Equine Dentistry because he felt he did not acquire the necessary skills in vet
school and recognized an overwhelming need for it. His school is open to members of the public as well as veterinarians. Furthermore,
individuals such as Dr. Tom Allen, DVM, also attended schools of equine dentistry after graduating from veterinary school. Dr. Allen says "I
have supported the good work of the non-veterinary equine dental practitioners for several years now, after seeing the benefits of thorough
dental care shown to me by several of the non-vet group".
Much of what is included in the veterinary curriculum pertains to oral health, disease and the broad spectrum of "dentistry" and not
necessarily to floating teeth. There are many equine veterinarians who have gone above and beyond to actually learn how to properly float
teeth, however, the majority have not, which is why many horse owners prefer the services of a non-DVM teeth floater. We surveyed 150
Oklahoma horse owners (at random) regarding this issue. None of the results were altered or deleted. to view the results.
The Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (OBVME) conducted a survey of equine veterinarians regarding equine dentistry.
256 Oklahoma Veterinarians stated they DO provide teeth floating services. There are fewer than 100 equine-exclusive vets in the entire state,
which means that the veterinarians who provide this service, do so on a very limited basis because the majority of them focus on small
animals as the scope of their practice. Many horse owners prefer to use someone who specializes in certain areas (i.e., massage therapists,
chiropractors and teeth floaters), not someone who does it part time or as a hobby. We are not implying that someone who floats teeth on a
part time basis is not good at it, but naturally, someone who specializes in the area will be more experienced and thus more qualified.
Under the current legislation, it is legal for a veterinarian to hire a non-DVM teeth floater, as a regular employee and under direct supervision,
to provide this service. The problem therein lies with what is "direct supervision". Many equine veterinarians often utilize non-DVM lay
persons to provide teeth floating services, however, most of those veterinarians are not trained on the latest techniques and equipment and
therefore are not capable of properly supervising someone who is more knowledgeable than they are. Therefore, it is unfair to the horse
owner, the veterinarian and the non-DVM teeth floater to force these individuals to work only under the employment of a veterinarian. It is
also unfair to the veterinarian to make him liable for someone's else's work, especially when liability insurance is available to teeth floaters
(but only in state's where it is NOT considered a felony to provide this service).
Beginning April 30. 2009, Registered Veterinary Technician's (RVT's) will be allowed to sedate horses and float their teeth, unsupervised.
That's great news for vet tech's (who spend 2 years learning about a multitude of things and virtually nothing about dental equilibration in
horses), but it doesn't provide a viable solution for teeth floaters (who have no desire to be vet tech's). In order for an individual to begin
working on teeth (providing very basic floating and equilibration), one must attend nearly 300 hours of hands on training. In order to reach
the level of Master Equine Dentist it can take literally years. We spoke to 5 equine-exclusive vet tech's and each one stated she didn't learn
teeth floating as part of her training in vet tech school and that she had no desire to float teeth and is not aware of any vet tech who is. It is
truly unconstitutional to deny teeth floaters the right to work in this state and furthermore, to remove the RIGHT OF CHOICE from the horse
owner. Teeth floating is not nearly as invasive as shoeing, castrating, dehorning or branding, which are legal for anyone to do without any
training or supervision whatsoever. Oklahoma Veterinary Technician Association
Murray State College - Vet Tech Program - AG 1543 -- Equine Evaluation. Prerequisite: None. This course deals with the evaluation of a horse's conformation and performance. Topics
covered in this course include: terms used in judging horse conformation, evaluation of the horse's conformation and structural soundness, evaluating and judging a horse show, and expressing oral
reasons. Also discussed in this course are the blemishes and unsoundnesses of the hurrays, and determining age by teeth. Two lecture and two laboratory hours a week. Credit: Three semester hours.
Interesting Facts
In Oklahoma, veterinary medicine is held in a higher regard than human medicine. The penalty for practicing veterinary medicine w/out a license
is far greater than that of practicing human medicine w/out a license. The vets have decided that no one except licensed veterinarians and
registered veterinary technicians is allowed to enter their field. Recently, however, some veterinarians are realizing that it's not such a bad idea.
In Oklahoma it is a FELONY to actually FLOAT THE TEETH and a misdemeanor to administer sedation...but they say the problem lies with the
sedation.
Many years ago the medical profession tried to block other qualified professionals from entering the medical field. It DID NOT work. The field of
human medicine has branched into literally hundreds of professions in the past 50 years. Some require more training than others and some
require no training at all. Consumers should have the right of choice when it comes to the care of their animals, just as they do with their own
health care and that of their children. Why should animals be any different? What gives veterinarians the right to block other trained
professionals from entering their field? Consumers want choices, especially when they desire services their vets don't provide or are not
qualified to provide.
Oklahoma State University is now going to offer more extensive training in equine dentistry, especially for students are studying equine science.
The vet tech program at Murray State will also be offering a course on the subject, although neither can compare to the extensive training and
knowledge one acquires at a school devoted specifically to this one single subject.
The latest innovations, tools and research in equine teeth floating are credited to equine dentists (who are not graduates of veterinary school).
The most comprehensive equine dental books are also written by equine dentists, not veterinarians.
Non-DVM equine dentists originally taught veterinarians how to properly balance horses teeth. Many colleges of veterinary medicine, including
Texas A&M and Oklahoma State University, have utilized non-DVM equine dentists at one time or another to teach their students how to float
teeth.
Professional teeth floaters are rarely called to work behind other professional teeth floaters because horse owners who utilize their services are
satisfied with the quality of their work.
Most complaints against teeth floaters are NOT made by unhappy horse owners. Certain veterinarians have complained against teeth floaters
from simply "hearing" about it or from seeing advertisements in newspapers, on websites and various other places.
Anyone can legally castrate a farm animal and/or perform other equally invasive procedures....no training required whatsoever, but an educated,
experienced teeth floater can't file a horse's teeth unless he is a full time employee of a veterinarian and only under the direct supervision of that
veterinarian. This concept would be okay if veterinarians had the time to hang out with the teeth floater all day. Most veterinarians have very
hectic schedules and are far too busy providing medical care, which makes that idea virtually impossible.
A Registered Veterinary Technician can legally sedate horses and float their teeth beginning April 30th, despite having little or no training on
dental equilibration in horses. There is currently no recognition of competency in equine dentistry training of veterinary technician's or
veterinarians. There are no questions on the Oklahoma veterinary exam regarding equine dentistry.
The schools of equine dentistry in this country are not accredited institutions, therefore, their graduates are not recognized as skilled, competent
dental technicians, despite having literally hundreds of hours of training in the field. Some of the schools are owned and administrated by
veterinarians and each has instructors who are veterinarians. These institutions are open to members of the public and to veterinarians who
wish to learn this trade. The graduates of these institutions are held in high regard by the horse-owning public and are often the most highly
skilled equine-dentists in the nation. Their services are sought after because they specialize in the trade.
Many lies and mis-truth's have recently been circulated about the use of sedation when floating teeth. Sedation is not necessary in most cases,
especially when the job is being performed by a knowledgeable professional. However, occasionally a horse will require it, just as some horses
require sedation when being shod, trimmed, clipped or hauled. Many drugs used to sedate horses are not "controlled and dangerous
substances" as quoted by some individuals who are opposed to teeth floaters. These medications can be given to any horse owner by their vet
or with a prescription. It is NOT illegal to possess these medications, although you might have been led to believe it is.
A horse owner can give his horse a shot and float his horse's teeth. An employee of a horse owner can give the owner's horse a shot and float
the horse's teeth. A trainer in possession of a horse can give the horse a shot and float the horse's teeth. An employee of a trainer can also give
that horse a shot and float that horse's teeth. NO LEVEL OF SKILL OR COMPETENCY OR TRAINING REQUIRED, WHATSOEVER. But an owner
or trainer is prevented (by Oklahoma's Veterinary Practice Act) from hiring a skilled, competent, trained, experienced contract laborer to perform
those tasks. Basically, the practice act states "if you are going to pay someone to do it, that person must be a vet or an employee of a vet and
under the supervision of a vet.". Otherwise, that person must be a "regular employee" of the owner or trainer whose job includes those acts as
an integral part of his/her duties for which no special compensation is made.
The quality of work performed by anyone is always under scrutiny. Certain individuals are forever saying that equine dentists have no formal
education yet the industry recognizes our training, as they seek us out rather than the vets. It is about competency and as far as we know there
is no recognition of competency in equine dentistry training of veterinarians. There are many veterinarians who have taken the time to become
educated and knowledgeable on teeth floating and those individuals probably enjoy providing the service. There are also many who do not
wish to provide this service due to their simple disinterest or lack of formal training, and prefer to send their customers to someone who
specializes in the trade. In Oklahoma there is room for everyone due to the scarcity of equine dentists and the overwhelming number of horses.
| CLICK HERE TO JOIN The Coalition for Oklahoma Teeth Floaters |
WE DID IT!!! Governor Henry Signed the Bill!!! On August 19th, 2009, the law will revert to a misdemeanor! The interim study will be conducted this fall and will help define what is/is not the practice of veterinary medicine. This new law will affect all non-DVM individuals who provide certain non-medical veterinary services in Oklahoma so that they can work legally in this state. State Rep Brian Renegar has also initiated an interim study on "The Illegal Practice of Equine Dentistry in Oklahoma". We will be present during both studies and are looking forward to it! Oklahoma House Media Room Press Release Thursday, May 14, the Senate voted 38/6 in our favor!!! On May 15th, the House also voted in our favor (64/28) and the bill was delivered directly to the Governor's office the same day. Governor Henry signed the bill on May 21, 2009, reversing the penalty for practicing veterinary medicine without a license back to a misdemeanor. The new law will take effect 90 days from the date it was signed! This is a HUGE victory for us! We will keep you posted regarding the interim study, which will be conducted this fall. During that time we will once again call on the help of our supporters who are willing to speak publicly. We are already compiling a list of supporters who are willing to help with this, if needed. If you are interested, please let us know. The new legislation will be written and a solution that will work for everyone will be the final result. Our hard work and diligence has paid off!!! THANK YOU!!! CLICK HERE - Go to TRACK 1028 to LISTEN to the LIVE AUDIO of the House Vote. |
| STATES ALLOWING OR EXEMPTING EQUINE TEETH FLOATING ARIZONA CALIFORNIA CONNECTICUT FLORIDA ILLINOIS MINNESOTA OHIO NEW HAMPSHIRE OREGON VERMONT MARYLAND VIRGINIA PENNSYLVANIA LOUISIANA SOUTH CAROLINA MANY STATES, SUCH AS OKLAHOMA, DO NOT MENTION "EQUINE TEETH FLOATING" ANYWHERE IN THEIR ENTIRE PRACTICE ACT, BUT INCLUDE THE WORD "DENTISTRY" and/or the phrase "COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES". THEY WILL USE ONE OF THOSE CATEGORIES AS AN UMBRELLA FOR WHICH TO PLACE "TEETH FLOATING", THE CURRENT STATUS OF OKLAHOMA'S LAW REGARDING THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE WITHOUT A LICENSE WILL REVERT TO A MISDEMEANOR ON AUGUST 19TH, 2009 (90 DAYS AFTER GOVERNOR BRAD HENRY SIGNED THE BILL). MOST STATES ALLOW NORMAL ACTS OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, SUCH AS HORSESHOEING AND EQUINE TEETH FLOATING MOST STATES, INCLUDING OKLAHOMA, EXEMPT ANIMAL OWNERS AND HIS EMPLOYEES FROM PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES TO THE OWNERS ANIMALS OKLAHOMA IS ONE OF ONLY 5 STATES IN WHICH THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE W/OUT A LICENSE IS CONSIDERED A FELONY OFFENSE. THE OTHERS ARE NEW YORK, FLORIDA, MICHIGAN AND NEVADA, HOWEVER: IN FLORIDA TEETH FLOATING IS EXEMPT IN MICHIGAN, DENTISTRY IS NOT LISTED IN THEIR PRACTICE ACT UNDER THE DEFINITION OF THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. EQUINE TEETH FLOATING IS ALSO NOT MENTIONED IN THEIR PRACTICE ACT. GRADUATES OF NON- VETERINARY APPROVED EDUCATION PROGRAMS CAN BE GRANTED A LIMITED LICENSE UNDER MICHIGAN LAW. IN NEVADA, DENTISTRY IS INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, HOWEVER EQUINE TEETH FLOATING IS NOT MENTIONED IN THEIR PRACTICE ACT. ACCEPTED LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ARE PERMITTED IN NEVADA. IN NEW YORK, DENTISTRY IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, NOR IS EQUINE TEETH FLOATING MENTIONED IN THEIR PRACTICE ACT. |
| PLEASE CONTRIBUTE We need your help paying for the lobbying expenses we have incurred during this process. This year should mark the end of our journey, however, we are several thousand dollars shy of meeting our needs. We really need your help in order to see this through to the very end, so any amount will help tremendously. Thank you! |
Make check payable to:
Coalition for Oklahoma Teeth Floaters
PO Box 135
Washington, OK 73093
Coalition for Oklahoma Teeth Floaters
PO Box 135
Washington, OK 73093
| IN THE NEWS NOW |
| Tulsa World - May 14th State Senate Vote to Help Horse Teeth Flaoters |
$
$
| NEWS |
The Agriculture and Rural Development Committee met on February 2, 2010, to discuss whether or not a bill that would change the Veterinary Practice Act to allow teeth floaters the right to work should be passed to the Senate Ag Committee. The committee voted in our favor and SB1999 will be heard by the Senate Committee on Monday February 8th at 3:30pm. Senate Bill 1999 will simply allow teeth floaters and other providers of non-medical animal husbandry services the right to work in Oklahoma, free of the vet board. Over the years, the veterinary profession in Oklahoma has formed a complete monopoly of its industry, keeping anyone who is not a licensed DVM from providing non-medical services for animals. It's time for a change and Senate Bill 1999 will allow that change. SB1999 will allow teeth floaters to work freely and will allow horse owners the right to choose who works on their own horses. Certain lawmakers, such as Rep Brian Renegar, DVM and Rep Phil Richardson, DVM, both of whom are on the Ag and Rural Development Committee and both of whom voted NOT to pass the bill to the Senate Committee, have chosen to try and distort the purpose of the bill by bringing up the issue of veterinary drugs. They would like you to believe this bill, if passed will cause rapes and teenage abortions to occur. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This bill DOES NOT change Oklahoma's laws against the illegal use/abuse of veterinary drugs, which have always been a misdemeanor. This bill simply allows the horse owner to choose who files his horses' teeth and allows the teeth floaters to work. It also allows the horse owner to decide if the floater may or may not sedate his horse, provided the drugs were obtained from the owners veterinarian for that purpose. There have been no documented cases of any rapes or abortions that were caused because of teeth floaters in Oklahoma. The idea itself is absurd! If Representatives Renegar and Richardson are so worried about the drug issue, then why didn't they introduce a bill that would stiffen the penalties for such offenses and crack down on the veterinarians who give drugs to individuals who should not have them???? Rep Renegar was successful in 2008 in making the actual "act" of rasping a horses teeth (by non-DVMs) a FELONY. The drugs remained a misdemeanor. We were successful last year in getting that ridiculous law reversed and are now focusing our attention on SB1999, which will provide a solution to this problem and will put the power back in the hands of the owner. You should not be FORCED to use a vet for teeth floating, horseshoeing, massage therapy or any other service that you feel would be best performed by someone else. It's your horse. It's your choice. Lets ban together and make Oklahoma history! Lets change Oklahoma's archaic veterinary practice act and put an end to the monopoly. Please contact your Senator to request their support of Senate Bill 1999. Click here to locate your Senator. |
| New Information (Feb 5, 2010) |
| PLEASE JOIN US AT THE STATE CAPITOL FEBRUARY 16TH (8:00AM) FOR AN ORGANIZED RALLY IN SUPPORT OF OKLAHOMA TEETH FLOATERS. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND ATTENDANCE! |