WWAED
WWAED
🐴 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 – 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 🦷
The UK Government is reviewing the Veterinary Surgeons Act, and the outcome could affect how equine dentists are recognised and allowed to work in the future.
𝘼𝙨 𝙖 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧, 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨.
Many owners rely on a qualified, trained equine dentist to maintain their horse’s comfort, welfare, and performance. This consultation is your chance to say that:
✔ Clear professional titles matter
✔ Proper training and competence protect horses
✔ Regulation should be proportionate and risk-based
✔ Equine dentists should be able to work within their sphere of expertise
🗓 Consultation closes: 25 March 2026
You don’t need to be technical — honest, real-world experience carries real weight.
🙏 Please like, share, and encourage other horse owners to take part.
Horse owners’ voices matter – speak up for your equine dentist.
_____________________________________________________________________
𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗗 – 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦
📝 You don’t need to be an expert. Short answers are fine.
When responding, try to mention:
✔ You are a horse owner
✔ You value using a qualified equine dentist
✔ Clear titles help owners know who is properly trained
✔ Regulation should protect horses without reducing access to care
𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙥𝙝𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙨 (𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮):
• “As a horse owner…”
• “I rely on a qualified equine dentist for my horse’s dental care”
• “Clear professional titles give owners confidence”
• “Equine dentists should be able to work within their sphere of expertise”
⏰ The survey takes approximately 5–10 minutes and closes on 25 March 2026
WWAED
🐴 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 – 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 🦷
The UK Government is reviewing the Veterinary Surgeons Act, and the outcome could affect how equine dentists are recognised and allowed to work in the future.
𝘼𝙨 𝙖 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧, 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨.
Many owners rely on a qualified, trained equine dentist to maintain their horse’s comfort, welfare, and performance. This consultation is your chance to say that:
✔ Clear professional titles matter
✔ Proper training and competence protect horses
✔ Regulation should be proportionate and risk-based
✔ Equine dentists should be able to work within their sphere of expertise
🗓 Consultation closes: 25 March 2026
You don’t need to be technical — honest, real-world experience carries real weight.
☕ Grab a brew and take a few minutes to respond here:
👉 consult.defra.gov.uk/reform-of-the-veterinary-surgeons-act/consultation/
🙏 Please like, share, and encourage other horse owners to take part.
Horse owners’ voices matter – speak up for your equine dentist.
_____________________________________________________________________
𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗗 – 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦
📝 You don’t need to be an expert. Short answers are fine.
When responding, try to mention:
✔ You are a horse owner
✔ You value using a qualified equine dentist
✔ Clear titles help owners know who is properly trained
✔ Regulation should protect horses without reducing access to care
𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙥𝙝𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙨 (𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮):
• “As a horse owner…”
• “I rely on a qualified equine dentist for my horse’s dental care”
• “Clear professional titles give owners confidence”
• “Equine dentists should be able to work within their sphere of expertise”
⏰ The survey takes approximately 5–10 minutes and closes on 25 March 2026
Consultation: Reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 - Defra - Citizen Space
This site contains consultations that are run by Defra.
WWAED
One of our members, Gary Khakhian Equine Dentist came across this situation. This is the type of clip that you might have on a lead rope.
Safety Tip:
Some people have water buckets hanging on these hooks. We would advise you not to, if you can avoid it. However, if you have to, at least make sure the hook is placed with the opening mechanism away from the horse.
This looked very sore.
WWAED
Marcus Headland of Headland Equine Dentistry and his team providing free dentistry for the residents at Thornberry Animal Sanctuary.
WWAED
Merry Christmas 🎄 to all of our page followers and horse owners everywhere.
Here's to a great Xmas followed by a fantastic 2026.🎉
WWAED
WWAED equine dentist Jessica Honeyman in action.
#AdvancingaProfession
WWAED
We held a Category 1 level Entrance Exam practical on unsedated horses on December 3rd 2025.
To become a Full Member of the WWAED you have to demonstrate your competency working on an unsedated horse. This replicates the work that makes up 90+% of the regular work for an equine dentist.
(The more advanced Cat 2 exam allows us to understand the competencies of an equine dentist but, as the horses are sedated, it does not allow an equine dentist to demonstrate their horse handling skills.)
Laureen who owns Manston Riding Centre kindly hosted us for the day and took care of organising all the horses and providing teas and coffees. ☕
We had 5 successful participants who have now become Full Members of the WWAED.
We also had a visit from the Xmas elf. Not Elf on a shelf but if anybody can offer a suitable elf strapline...... but please try to keep it clean!😬
Big thanks to Manston Riding Centre, Gary Khakhian Equine Dentist, Nat Heal, Headland Equine Dentistry, RM Equine Dentistry cat2 qualified (Richard Morris) and Steve Goode.
Another successful practical day.
WWAED
🥂 Congratulations to our students that passed the recent WWAED theory exams.
TriDent students achieved an 80% pass rate in the Category 2 exam and 💯 % pass rate in the Category 1 exam.
I know how much effort and preparation has gone into these exams, well done. 👍🏻
There are practical exams planned for 2026 and we look forward to welcoming back our students on the Spring TriDent course. Some of them may be fully U.K. registered EDTs by then 🤞🏻
WWAED
Everyone, please share this poll so we can get to a wide audience to better understand the make-up of the equine dentistry profession.
WWAED
The WWAED has its second Category 2 Theory course of 2025 running this week at the Solihull Riding Club. Good luck to all the participants.
WWAED
Improving the knowledge and capabilities of equine dentists can only benefit the welfare of horses everywhere.
Our association has a motto, "Advancing a Profession" and the TriDent Equine Dental Conference is an excellent way to fulfill that intent.
It was an excellent conference with top quality presentations and provided excellent networking for all attendees.
We were happy to be the main sponsors for the conference this year and we look forward to extending that relationship in 2026.
WWAED
One of the 3 WWAED dedicated tables at the TriDent Equine Dental Conference, listening to a lecture on EOTRH and organic selenium - The Missing Link
#advancingaprofession
#equinedentistry
#equinedental
#cpd
WWAED
Good to get the TriDent Equine Dental Conference at Yorkshire Wildlife Park underway.
WWAED are the lead sponsors for the only independent equine dentistry conference in the UK.
There is good attendance from WWAED members underlining the importance that the association places on continuous professional development.
#AdvancingaProfession
WWAED
We had an excellent CPD day at North Wales Equine Dental Practice with Andy Peffers MRCVS.
Some really good lectures that intelligently covered the detail on a range of conditions and also covered the interface between equine dentists and veterinarians.
WWAED updated their status.
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
WWAED
WWAED
Not long until our next DEFRA and RCVS Approved Category 2 Practical exams.
They will be taking place on 2nd September 2025 at Retford.
Good luck to all participants.
- Did you know that this is the only recognised equine dentistry exam in the UK?
- We are the only equine dentistry association with approval to run these exams.
#Advancing a Profession
WWAED
WWAED
Do you work in the equine dentistry arena but are not affiliated to an equine dentistry association?
If so, why not come along to the TriDent Equine Dental Conference on 18th October 2025.
There is some excellent CPD and you can also come and have a chat with us about what the WWAED does for its members.
It's a great day for learning and networking with like-minded people.
# Advancing a Profession