ACMEQD503 — Perform equine dental treatment and oral care using appropriate instrumentation

Elements & performance criteria

Performance evidence

• performed the following dental treatments and oral care on at least two occasions each, using appropriate (manual and motorised) instrumentation, over a total of at least 12 different equines:
• addressed incisor malocclusions
• removed supragingival calculus (tartar) from teeth
• buffed or rounded canine teeth
• removed digitally loose retained deciduous or senile teeth
• removed digitally loose wolf teeth (first premolars) or referred to a registered veterinarian
• addressed malocclusions in cheek teeth arcades and removed sharp points protuberant to soft tissue
• profiled rostral aspect of #6 cheek teeth (second premolars)
• assessed functionality of masticatory system post-treatment, and has:
• conserved the physiological integrity, anatomy and functionality of teeth, ensuring vital tooth tissues have not been exposed in corrections
• achieved functional equilibration by distributing pressure and wear of mastication onto as many viable teeth as possible in order to maximise longevity and integrity of equine dentition
• checked that severe single tooth primary strikes are not present
• reassessed secondary tooth strikes have
• re-established, if possible, and/or maintained functional occlusal table angles
• blended transitions between protuberant and compromised teeth to allow for rostral/caudal movement of mandible during mastication.
• assessed risks and prepared a safe environment for dental treatment
• implemented infection control and hygiene procedures
• determined the need for sedation, and if required, advised owner to contact their registered veterinarian for administration of sedation according to relevant state/territory legislation
• safely handled, positioned and supported equine, particularly if it is sedated
• used appropriate techniques with manual and motorised instrumentation to maintain and/or restore function to the dental arcades to an acceptable condition, considering masticatory function
• explained treatment and post-treatment management to at least three owners or agents
• updated dental and relevant records for each equine and client.

Knowledge evidence

• principles and practices for performing dental treatment and oral care, including: use of manual and motorised instrumentation; current industry terminology used to describe dental conditions, treatment, and oral features; charting systems used to record equine dental information; recording and reporting equine health condition, including evidence of abnormal pathology
• anatomy and physiology of equine head and oral structures, including: function and structures of equine mouth; normal and abnormal features; anatomical guidelines and requirements for equine dental treatments
• key requirements of relevant state/territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice for: veterinary practice and restricted dental practices; treatments requiring referral to a registered veterinarian or other appropriate service provider; supply, possession and use of restricted and controlled substances – Poisons Acts; administration of sedatives to animals
• indicators of general equine health and signs of dental conditions, including: common illness or injuries that may impact dental health; equine behavioural signs that may indicate dental problems; signs of infectious disease
• techniques used to restrain equines for dental treatment, including: physical restrains; chemical restraints
• equine sedation (chemical restraint), including: state/territory legislative requirements relating to acquiring sedatives and administering sedation to equines; role and responsibilities of registered veterinarians, owners or agents and equine dental technicians relating to sedation of equines; general principles, indications, advantages and disadvantages, and side effects of sedation in equines for dental examination and treatment; clinical signs, lag phase and duration of effects relative to route of administration; side-effects of sedative drugs; consideration of equine patient status – health, breed, age, condition, pain, pregnancy, stallions; impact of adrenalin on sedation, and contraindication to use of sedation when elevated significantly; time for sedatives to take effect, and duration period; equine behaviour and responses to sedation and recovery; sedation reversal and risks to equine and handlers; identification where referral to a veterinarian is required for sedation and analgesia; continuous rate infusion; local anaesthetic and/or regional nerve blocks; use and indications relating to local anaesthetic and nerve blocks; techniques to safely assist attending veterinarians and others during sedation administration, dental diagnostic imaging or dental surgeries
• manual and motorised equine dental instrumentation, including: purpose, operation, quality, longevity and cost; usefulness, life span, maintenance and indicators of wear or redundancy; importance of adherence to instrument manufacturer instructions and maintenance specifications; techniques for safe use; techniques to mitigate and minimise heat generation from use of motorised instruments, including frequent cooling of the teeth
• range of manual and motorised instrumentation and materials used in equine dentistry, including: suspension/supporting systems; flushing and irrigation systems; speculums; mirrors, head lamps, cameras and associated equipment; manual instruments, including files, explores, probes, picks, scalers, elevators, forceps, spreaders, extractors, floats and float inserts; motorised instruments, including GFI (ground fault interrupters) motors (240v and battery), drive shafts and sheaths, clutches, handpieces, burrs, discs, drills, adaptors, water-cooled instrumentation, vacuum systems; dental restoration and emergency materials, oral washes, impression materials, packing materials
• post-dental treatment monitoring, management and care
• potential complications due to iatrogenic effects, including: unskilled assessment, techniques and treatments; trauma, including soft tissue trauma and thermal trauma to dentition
• techniques used to: rinse oral cavity to remove feed; examine oral cavity visually and manually; address incisors; address canines if present; remove supragingival calculus (tartar) from teeth as necessary; fit and remove dental speculum; assess and treat digitally loose or retained teeth; assess wolf teeth (first premolars); address cheek teeth; profile the rostral aspect of the #6 cheek teeth (second premolars); inspect oral cavity for evidence of injury caused during treatment; determine rostral-caudal movement, lateral excursion and occlusion in relation to masticatory function
• key requirements of health and safety regulations and guidelines relating to: risk assessment and control; safe handling techniques for catching, handling, controlling and restraining equines; safe work practices, including manual handling and use of personal protective equipment (PPE); storage of chemicals and medicines
• key requirements of hygiene and biosecurity procedures, relevant to: personal hygiene and PPE; cleaning, disinfection or sterilisation of instruments, equipment and materials; safe biological and general waste disposal; equine infectious disease, notifiable diseases and quarantine procedures; zoonotic diseases, including Hendra
• key animal welfare requirements relevant to safe, humane and ethical care of horses or other equines.

Foundation skills

• Reading: Interpret and consolidate key information in equine charts, reports and records
• Writing: Enter data and observations into print-based or electronic record-keeping systems accurately using industry terminology and dental encoded systems in English
• Numeracy: Calculate ratios and volumes relevant to mixing liquids and chemicals. Estimate, calculate and record routine measures relating to equine oral care and dental treatments
• Oral communication: Use listening and questioning techniques to convey and confirm information in English. Use terminology and concepts appropriate for the audience.

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Questions about assessing ACMEQD503