Equine Dental Science

Equine dental science is a specialised and highly vocational field concerned with the oral health of horses. Horses' teeth are complex, continuously erupting throughout much of their lives, and dental problems can significantly affect their welfare, performance, and ability to eat. Equine dental technicians work with veterinary surgeons and horse owners to identify, manage, and treat dental conditions, requiring both a thorough understanding of equine anatomy and physiology and the practical hands-on skills to carry out examinations and procedures safely and effectively.

At Hartpury University, this three-year full-time programme is directly aligned with the professional requirements of the British Equine Veterinary Association and the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians. The curriculum begins with the foundational knowledge you need: anatomy, horse handling, and the theoretical frameworks that underpin equine dentistry. As the programme progresses, this theoretical grounding is applied in practical settings both on campus at Hartpury and in the field.

A distinctive feature of the programme is the mentor system: in the latter part of your first year, you are assigned a registered BAEDT mentor who works with you in practice, supporting your development in real clinical environments. This mentored placement runs throughout the programme and is central to how you develop the professional skills and clinical judgement that the field demands. The sandwich year gives you further structured professional experience, and work placement experience is embedded throughout.

Hartpury's equestrian facilities and deep connections to the horse industry provide an exceptional environment in which to develop practical expertise alongside academic knowledge.

Graduates go on to work as qualified equine dental technicians, often establishing their own practices or working within veterinary practices and equestrian centres. Some go on to further study in equine science, veterinary nursing, or related fields. The degree provides the professional foundation required for registration and practice within the regulatory framework governing equine dental work in the UK.