Texas Tooth Law

[vickie gee]

Just curious where my fellow Texans are going to get their horses' teeth floated now that the house bill is in effect (thank you Rick Perry and Texas Veterinary Board, and all vets wanting a bigger piece of the pie). I understand that non-veterinary equine dental experts will now be fined $5000 per day and face felony charges. The vets in my area do not work on teeth, are not interested, and do not have the instruments for mini's teeth. The one person that my vet recommended last year has been shut down. I called him and he told me that a relative of his that floated teeth had paid a $10,000 fine and is now "a felon" so therefore he is not risking working in his profession at this present time. Hopefully this will get overturned but meanwhile....???? Please do not post anything that could potentially get a good tooth floater in trouble. If you can be of assistance please PM me. I have a mare that is showing signs of needing her teeth floated. I really do not want to trailer her to Oklahoma and even if I did it would be limited to southeast. The people that passed this stupid law did not do it in the interest horses or owners.

:arg!

 

[HGFarm]

I thought this was settled in the equine dentists favor??

Tony, or Carl, any input here??!! Did I miss something?!

 

[vickie gee]

I thought this was settled in the equine dentists favor??

Tony, or Carl, any input here??!! Did I miss something?!

Yes, it did look like things were going in favor of the equine dentist in 2010. But now in 2011 the Texas Legislature has passed HOUSE BILL 414. They can practice under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. Rick Perry signed off on it and it went into effect Sept 1, 2011. Basically they took away the salary and the ability to operate.

 

[Sandee]

Too bad that all politicians don't have to "walk a mile" in the shoes of the people they pass legislation over!

 

[HGFarm]

WELL!!!! I can't even write here what just came out of my mouth when I read this! Is this something that 'snuck in the side door' while everyone else was busy in court?! This is simply disgusting. Wonder if this can be removed.............. what a shame and I agree, this was a 'get even' maneuver, not for the well being of horses.

 

[Riverrose28]

Start a few petitions, and contact your legislators by phone and e-mail. In this economy they shouldn't be shutting down any one with a legit business. Crazy!

 

[a mini dream come true]

Next it is going to be the farrier. Write, text ,e-mail your representative. How did this get past us

.

 

[Riverrose28]

Sorry for second post, but this has my hackles up! In my neck of the woods us horse people are pro-active, get in touch with the other horse associations. in your area, such as 4-H clubs, trail riding clubs, show asst., etc. get them moving. Get all on your side to sign up to repeal this law, petitions, and load voices work very well. Scream if you have to!

 

[vickie gee]

My husband has been writing some scathing letters to our Texas Legislators. My husband is a dental tech for humans. He makes crown, bridge, and dentures. He was wanting to get into horse dentistry when I retire. That is why we have been keeping abreast of equine dentistry. Hopefully, we will still pursue the dream. Right now the number of states where a non-veterinarian can practice are very limited. No doubt we could find a state that suits us but obviously some states are catering to the veterinary cartel. Just last week a Missouri woman was on trial for practicing horse dentistry. Her name is Brooke Gray and the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board brought civil suit against her. She trained at the Academy of Equine Dentisty in Idaho. She has been floating horse teeth for eight years. Had she not been professional she would not be getting repeat customers. Texas legislators saw what happened in Oklahoma where the laws did a complete 180 degree turn in favor of equine dentists and decided to play dirty politics here. REUTERS report June 6, 2011: "One thing is for certain: because of this legislation, Texas horses and their owners will be afforded a level of protection unavailable in the past. I say (1) "bullcrap!" and (2) "gitta rope!"

 

[Riverrose28]

They sneak more crap through, I just found out in my state that if you sell more then five horses a year you need to purchase a license for $80. a year. what the hay? Then they passed a law no free ranging poultry, if they find out they can fine you for each and everyone, farm or no farm. Crazy! Yet people can let their dogs run free to torture my horses, doesn't make any sense.

 

[Barbie]

Slowly but surely our freedoms are be taken away. It should be MY business who I have work on my horses teeth. There are a lot of equine vets around here, but I will not let any of them touch my horses' mouths. There is only one person I use and he is not from Florida. Legislators should mind there own business. Vote 'em all out I say!!!!

Barbie

 

[Riverrose28]

After some thought it may just be a ploy for more greed, start fining them, then license them. Befor you know it it will effect the equine chiroprators, accupuntorist, farrier, any one that performs a service, such as your dog groomer. Lets just license evryone of them and make more money! Holistic medicine, any thing is up for grabs by the gov. We need to speak up, this not allowed! First of all ask your vet, they don't really mind the dental practictors, they have enough to do, at least in my area, they are too busy with emergencies, colic and the like to worry about some one else doing a dental. As long as the person is competent and does a good job, I don't understand it all. My husband is a farrier, retired, he now only works for me, but was never liscenced, he worked many years ago as an apprentist then on his own. He was so good at corrective farrier work then two vets recommended him. He had to retire because of his back, but those vets still remember him, if this is the start what is the end result? Costs will sky rocket for those that perform a service as they will need to cover fees, lisences, etc. Or maybe these people will give up! We need to stand up for our rights and fight Government control! Where is Jill?

 

[Reble]

Not sure how to word this:

Since it states, they can practice under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.

Might not mean the vet has to be there?

But maybe some of your local vets that do not do miniature horses, would be willing to work with their clients if at all possible.

So would be able to come up with something that would allow these equine dentist to work side by side some how.

Just a thought.

 

[Miniv]

I agree with some posters above.... This takes away the rights of people who are providing a service and are educated for it! It also takes away a horse owner's right to choose who provides that service.

And the Maryland law regarding how many horses one can sell or having free-range chickens???

What's happened to our land of the free??? Hey, Government! GET OUT OF MY BACK YARD!!!!

 

[mizbeth]

"When providing the sanctioned activities described above, licensed equine dental providers will be held to the same standard of care as a veterinarian under the new law"

(quote from the law)

And what standard is that? Who do you report malpractice too?............boy could I go on about this.

I understood that they could practice too and all we had to do was let our Vet know the equine practitioner was coming to our farm?

** I meant for the Veterinarians - who do you report them to?

 

[wildoak]

I just read a summary of the bill and my understanding is that they must practice "under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian", not "direct" supervision. Big difference and it allows a lot more leeway. This bill was a compromise, as are most, that allows the dental technicians to continue working legally in Texas. The licensing issue in my mind is not all a bad thing if it ensures that our dental techs will be knowledgeable & proficient, and that they receive continuing education. Lots of people worked very hard to get this done, and it hopefully will be a good solution for everyone. Hoping Carl will weigh in on this, he can talk much more intelligently about it.

Jan

 

[vickie gee]

Next it is going to be the farrier. Write, text ,e-mail your representative. How did this get past us

.

Hazel, it is funny (not really) that you should mention that the farrier will be next. Mine was here just yesterday and was talking about the same thing. He teaches a farrier school and is well aware of how government is meddling where they should not be. Money should not be taken away from those who are willing to work hard for a living in order to support trickle up economics. He knows that vets are not interested in performing farrier services but that some of them would like to supervise it for monetary reasons.

Men and women that have attended any of the four equine dental schools in the U.S. should be able to float teeth. Veterinarians get to choose whether or not to work on equine teeth. Anyone who floats teeth, vet or non-vet should have to obtain an equal amount of education/continuing education specific to equine dentistry. I believe horse owners are smart enough and concerned about their animals to decide who treats them. If someone provides a service for me and does not do a good job I simply will not use them again. That includes all professions, whether it be landscaper, doctor, hairdresser, realtor, roofer, lawyer, tree cutter, tax preparer, gynecologist, or furniture salesman. (Yes, that is truly an array but from personal experience I can truly recommend a BAD one in each category and I am not really that hard to please.)

 

[vickie gee]

Back to my original post concerning my mare that needs her teeth floated: So far my only option is to travel 2 hours to a vet that I use for serious situations and have complete faith in who unlike the majority of vets does float teeth. I am not calling the mare's situation serious. Simply put, at this point I am going to be out the extra money and inconvenience to travel there.

I welcome input from all but I want to ask a few questions specifically from horse owners in Texas. Please check to see if you have someone who would be available and qualified to just float teeth for one of your horses.

1. Can you find someone? If answer is no I feel your pain. If answer is yes please proceed to question 2.

2. Is that person considered (a) an equine dentist, aka someone who attended one of the four approved equine dental schools (b) a vet who is willing to work on teeth and hopefully capable © an employee of a vet, likely an employee underpaid and overworked (d) yourself or a family member or (e) your employee, does not matter if he/she is really your stall cleaner or even legal to be here as long as he/she is your employee. If your answer is "a" please count your blessings and keep them your little secret unless of course you want to privately share it with me. If you answered "b" consider yourself blessed above the rest of us. If you answered "c" you might ask if tipping is allowed. If you answered "d" that makes me green with envy but I do admire you and if you answered "e" there is no law against having both money and brains. Ok, let's us Texans proceed to question 3.

3. How much will this cost as a routine floating?

 

[wildoak]

Carl does mine - he's reasonable, does good work and knows what he is doing. I don't know what part of Texas you are in, but you might give him a call. There is also a vet/dental specialist out of Houston who travels, she has done my big horses and I know she makes regular runs to the Austin/Georgetown area. I know there are others, that's just my personal experience.

Jan

 

[drmatthewtaylor]

Not sure how to word this:

Since it states, they can practice under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.

Might not mean the vet has to be there?

But maybe some of your local vets that do not do miniature horses, would be willing to work with their clients if at all possible.

So would be able to come up with something that would allow these equine dentist to work side by side some how.

Just a thought.

The phrase 'direct supervision' can be taken to mean different things depending on how its read.

In some areas that can mean the Vet has first hand knowledge about how the dentist provides care, but isn't physically watching either at all or not all the time and in other areas it can infer that the Vet must be watching directly over his shoulder.

In my Clinic the Dentist is given the stocks and 2 stalls and while he works I can go back periodically and check on him or be working up front. He likes that I now taken some of the burden of care and risk off his shoulders and I feel he does a quality job for my clients and patients.

Dr Taylor