Equine Dental Science

Equine Dental Science is a specialised discipline at the intersection of animal health and veterinary medicine, concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dental disease in horses. Equine dental problems are among the most common health issues affecting horses and can have significant consequences for their ability to eat, perform, and maintain general wellbeing. The field requires a combination of detailed anatomical knowledge, hands-on clinical skill, and a thorough understanding of horse behaviour and handling, all applied within a regulated professional framework.

At Hartpury University, this five-year, full-time programme includes a sandwich placement year and work placement opportunities, and the teaching is structured to align with the professional practice requirements set by the British Equine Veterinary Association and the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians. In the early part of the programme you will build foundations in equine anatomy, horse handling, and the theoretical underpinning of dental science, developing the knowledge base that clinical practice requires. As you progress, you will be assigned a BAEDT mentor, enabling you to develop your practical skills out in the field under professional supervision.

This combination of campus-based learning and mentored placement experience is central to the programme's design, ensuring that you graduate with the clinical confidence and professional competence the field demands. Hartpury's equestrian facilities and its location in the South West provide a rich environment for learning in close proximity to horses.

Graduates of Equine Dental Science typically work as equine dental technicians, providing preventive and corrective dental care to horses in private practice, on racing yards, or within equestrian sport settings. Many register with the BAEDT and develop independent practices or work alongside veterinary surgeons. The programme also provides a foundation for those who wish to continue in veterinary or animal science education, or to take on roles in equine health research, welfare organisations, and related industries.