I’m Dr Kirsten Jackson, founder of Dental Vet, and one thing has become absolutely clear in my years working and studying both in Western Australia and overseas: equine dental care is a global welfare issue. A horse’s mouth is far more than just a set of teeth; it’s the foundation of comfort, performance, and longevity.
My journey took an unexpected turn in 2013 when I started researching equine peripheral caries, a condition widespread here in WA due to diet and water factors. I was awarded my PhD from the University of Western Australia for this research, and presenting the findings internationally, added to the realisation of the global scale of dental disease in equines.
In 2014 I travelled to the Gili Islands in Indonesia to treat working ponies there and in 2016 I joined Animal Aid Abroad’s committee as a volunteer committee member. Animal Aid Abroad is an Australian charity that partners with organisations around the world to improve the lives of working animals through veterinary care and education. It was a humbling experience, a powerful reminder of the privilege and resources we so often take for granted. What began as one trip soon had me returning each year.
These overworked ponies tirelessly carried rubbish and pulled carts around the island and were in desperate need of veterinary care. I carried little more than my dental kit, my training, and a conviction to provide the same level of care I would have if these animals were patients at the Dental Vet clinic. I paid my own travel costs so that every dollar donated went directly to their welfare.
One pony I’ll never forget is Oscar (pictured). He came to me with obvious signs of pain, open wounds and infection. After treatment and some TLC, his transformation was clear: his feed intake improved, his eyes brightened, and his cart was returned to work with less struggle. It was a powerful reminder that dental disease and veterinary care is not just a local problem, it’s global, under-recognised, and preventable.
At Dental Vet, we apply the same principles here in Perth. Whether it’s young foals or older performance horses, we believe prevention and early intervention matter. The research we conduct in WA directly informs how we treat a working island pony just as much as a sport horse in Perth.
While earlier fundraising phases (such as the Gili Island Horse & Pony Fund) marked major milestones, Animal Aid Abroad and its partners continue actively supporting these working horses around the world through expanded veterinary care, education, and farriery programmes. If you would like to get involved, you can learn more about Animal Aid Abroad on their website.
Dr Kirsten Jackson is the Owner and Director of Dental Vet and is passionate about her craft, treating every patient with the time, care and consideration she would give her own.
She is dedicated to improving the comfort and wellbeing of horses and other equine patients through advanced, preventative and compassionate dental care.
Dental Vet is based at 440 Nicholson Road, Forrestdale WA, just south of Perth. Our purpose-built equine dental clinic provides a calm, safe space for routine and advanced dental procedures. As fully qualified veterinarians, we can also provide our patients with a range of wellness services for your convenience.
The clinic is just off Armadale Road. It’s also worth noting that there are two driveways onto the property. The first driveway when heading south down Nicholson Road, which usually has a Dental Vet sign out the front, is the driveway to access the clinic. Look for the big grey gates and push the button to open them.
While we love welcoming clients to our state-of-the-art clinic, we also understand that sometimes on-farm consultations and treatments are preferred for your convenience.
Our fully equipped mobile service is available throughout Perth’s south-east corridor and nearby regions, including Perth, Armadale, Byford, Oakford, and Serpentine. However we can travel as far south as Harvey, east to Toodyay or north to Lower Chittering, typically anywhere around 100km of the Forrestdale clinic.
If you’re unsure whether we can visit your area, get in touch and we’ll be happy to confirm.
We’re Western Australia’s only dedicated equine dental veterinary clinic, offering both comprehensive routine and advanced equine dentistry. Our services include dental examinations, floating, extractions, fillings, root canal therapy, periodontal therapy, and oral X-rays.
As part of your appointment, we offer a variety of wellness services for your convenience. Our veterinarians can perform vaccinations, microchipping, faecal egg counts (FEC), drenching, blood tests for metabolic disease, radiographs and lameness work-ups.
We also pride ourselves on providing compassionate care and thorough examinations, so we provide sedation for our patients for their comfort and to allow us to properly diagnose and treat any dental pathology present.
All procedures are carried out by registered veterinarians Dr Kirsten Jackson and Dr Victoria Kö-Peternelj, veterinarians with postgraduate qualifications in equine dentistry. Each has extensive training and provides clinical and educational support for referring veterinarians.
As veterinary surgeons, they can administer sedation safely, diagnose complex dental issues, carry out patient wellness assessments and perform advanced medical or surgical treatments.
Our Veterinary Nurse Kelly Dunford and Veterinary Assistant Meg Burns support every procedure, ensuring each appointment runs smoothly and that your horse remains calm and comfortable throughout.
Dental Vet provides care for all equine species including horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. Our team is experienced in managing the unique dental needs of each, ensuring every patient, from the smallest miniature to the largest draft horse, receives safe, effective and compassionate treatment.
Dental problems can cause pain, weight loss and behavioural problems. Many horses hide discomfort until it becomes severe. Unfortunately by the time they present symptoms, the issue has usually escalated to severe infections and disease which can impact the lifespan of their smile and overall health. For ridden horses, placing a bit in a painful mouth can make them resist, act out, or even become dangerous. Studies show almost 60% of Western Australian horses have some form of peripheral caries, often linked to local diet and water pH 1. This highlights why regular, professional veterinary dental examinations are essential for horse health in our region.
Whether you've got a new foal, referring a patient for review, or are worried about your horse's wellbeing, we're here to help!