location440 Nicholson Rd, Forrestdale WA 6112

For Owners

Caring for Your Horse Starts with their Smile

Caring for Your Horse Starts with their Smile

Within the first few days of life, foals should have their incisors checked for malocclusions, as early intervention can prevent more severe issues later on. Those first teeth mark the beginning of a lifetime of oral health. Dental care plays a major role in your horse’s overall well-being and quality of life.

At Dental Vet, we make equine dental care calm, educational and effective. We want you to feel confident making decisions about your horse’s well-being.

As Western Australia’s only dedicated equine dental clinic, we combine compassion with cutting-edge veterinary dentistry. We provide a complete approach to oral health for horses, ponies, mules and donkeys.

Our team of veterinarians, led by Dr Kirsten Jackson (PhD, MANZCVS) and Dr Victoria Kö-Peternelj (MANZCVS), are highly trained in equine dentistry and take the time to explain every finding so you can always understand what’s happening and why.

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What to Expect at Your Appointment

What to Expect at Your Appointment

We know that visiting a veterinary clinic can feel stressful for horses and their owners. That’s why we designed our purpose-built clinic with horse comfort in mind and our appointments to be thorough and transparent.

Each dental includes:

  • A physical examination, including listening to the abdomen for signs of sand.
  • A seven-point external head assessment to check for changes linked to dental disease.
  • Full oral examination using a light, mirror, and oral endoscope for clinic appointments (with images and videos provided)
  • Discussion of findings and treatment plan
  • Treatment of pathology, with particular attention paid to treating periodontal disease
  • Floating or corrective work as needed
  • A complete dental chart, emailed to you with notes and home-care recommendations

Our clinic allows you to stay and watch or relax in our reception area or run errands while your horse is treated.

For anxious travellers, our mobile service brings the same standard of care directly to your property.

Our Clinic
Why Choose Dental Vet

Why Choose Dental Vet

  • Veterinary expertise: All procedures are performed by qualified, highly educated and experienced veterinarians under safe sedation
  • Comprehensive care: From floating to restorations and root canals, we manage every level of dental need.
  • Welfare first: A gentle, low-stress approach keeps horses relaxed throughout treatment.
  • Education and trust: We show you what we find, explain why it matters, and help you maintain your horse’s oral health between visits.
MEET THE TEAM
quote

“I recommend Dental Vet to everyone who asks. They consistently go above and beyond ordinary dental care.”

Andrea, Dental Vet client
Real Results. Real Relief.

Real Results. Real Relief.

Every horse we treat has a story, from rescued ponies finding comfort again to performance horses returning to peak form.

Our case studies highlight the difference that skilled, evidence-based dental care can make.

Each story outlines the problem, treatment, and recovery, showing how early diagnosis and expert care improve long-term well-being.

Patient stories
Equine Dentistry

Equine Dentistry

Routine dental maintenance, including comprehensive examination of all dental and oral tissues as well as a full dental chart with recommendations.

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Lifetime Dental Care

Lifetime Dental Care

Our vets will work with you and your horse on a comprehensive and tailored preventative dental care plan.

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Advanced Dental Procedures

Advanced Dental Procedures

Performing everything from endodontics, restorations, extractions and treating advanced periodontal disease.

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Equine Wellness Services

Equine Wellness Services

These include wellness consultations, vaccinations, microchipping, faecal egg counts (FEC), drenching, blood testing for metabolic disease, radiographs, euthanasia services and lameness work ups.

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In-Clinic Services

In-Clinic Services

Take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities our clinic has to offer. We are equipped with stables and yards with post, rail and mesh fencing and reticulated paddocks for your convenience. Clients can leave their horses for dental treatments, or stay and watch.

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Mobile Services

Mobile Services

While we pride ourselves on our industry-leading clinic, we also bring premium care directly to your property when needed. Our mobile units are fully equipped to bring the same quality of care wherever you are.

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FAQs

Do I need a referral?

No referral needed. In fact, we love to see your horse before any issues arise. Preventative dental care keeps your horse’s mouth healthy, so don’t put off going to the dentist. We do also accept referrals from veterinarians for advanced procedures, and will happily work with your vet to keep care seamless.

How do I book an appointment?

You can contact us directly to arrange an appointment on our online booking form or by emailing us at reception@dentalvet.com.au. Alternatively you can call (08) 9397 1286. We also work closely with referring veterinarians, sharing records and updates so your horse receives continuous care.

What’s included in a Dental Vet dental exam?

Every Dental Vet appointment is designed to give your horse a thorough, comfortable, and evidence-based dental assessment. Our experienced veterinarians take the time to thoroughly examine your horse, supported by our nursing team to ensure each visit runs smoothly.

Your horse’s appointment includes:

  • A physical examination, including listening to the abdomen for signs of sand.
  • A seven-point external head assessment to check for changes linked to dental disease.
  • A comprehensive oral examination using a speculum, lights, and endoscopy to assess all teeth and oral tissues.
  • Treatment of periodontal disease, if necessary (additional fee may apply for extensive treatment).
  • Floating and corrective work, including reduction of sharp points and overgrowths, plus a performance float for bitted horses.
  • Discussion of findings, next steps, as well as a dental chart emailed to you with home-care recommendations, so you understand each step.
  • Optional bit fit assessment if you have bitting concerns.

Does Dental Vet accept pet insurance?

Yes, many equine insurance policies cover advanced veterinary dental treatment when performed by a registered vet. However, it’s always advisable to contact your pet insurer and check on your policy inclusions before the appointment.

What symptoms might indicate that my horse has a dental problem?

Horses are prey animals and instinctively mask their pain and discomfort, which means dental disease often goes unnoticed until it’s advanced. The signs can be extremely subtle, even the colour of the dentin overlying a 2mm pulp on the surface of the tooth can indicate whether a tooth is healthy or abscessed. By the time symptoms are noticeable, the problem may already be severe and require more extensive (and costly) treatment.

That’s why regular professional dental checks are so important, even if your horse seems completely normal.

If your horse shows any of the signs below, please contact us for a diagnostic examination as soon as possible:

  • Dropping feed or slow eating
  • Bit resistance or head tossing
  • Weight loss or difficulty maintaining condition
  • Nasal discharge or foul breath
  • Quidding (spitting out half-chewed hay)
  • Chewing on one side only
  • Dunking feed or rinsing mouth in water trough
  • Facial swelling or sensitivity to touch

What is your sedation policy?

Our patients are given a light, controlled sedation for their dental procedure. This keeps them calm and comfortable and ensures we can do a thorough examination, diagnostics and treatment. During our detailed examinations we assess over 140 pulp cavities, as well as infundibula and all dental and soft tissue structures with precision, while protecting both horse and handler. Each horse is individually assessed before sedation, and reversing agents and emergency medications are always on hand.

Why do you sedate?

Equine dentistry has come a long way since the days of simply “rasping off a few sharp points.” The most serious and painful conditions, such as periodontal disease, endodontic infections (dead, infected teeth), dental decay and fractures, can only be diagnosed through a detailed oral examination.

Without treatment, these issues can progress to sinus or bone infections, fractured teeth, or fistulae (holes between the mouth and sinus). Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent years of pain and costly surgery, but only if the disease is found in time.

We sedate because a thorough, accurate, and safe examination simply isn’t possible otherwise. Each horse has over 140 pulp cavities and 24 infundibula that must be inspected for decay, fractures and infection. Attempting this on an unsedated horse is like trying to cut a toddler’s hair while they shake their head, it’s unsafe and unlikely to end well!

Our veterinarians are highly trained in sedation and medication safety. Every horse is assessed before treatment, and we carry reversing agents and emergency medications in the rare event of an adverse reaction. If sedation isn’t deemed to be safe based on our physical examination findings, we’ll discuss further diagnostics and reschedule for when your horse’s health allows.

Sedation keeps the experience calm and safe. Horses relax and we can focus on providing thorough care without missing anything hidden, ensuring they receive gold-standard care.

Do you provide any other equine health services?

While equine dentistry is what we’re best known for, and what we do best, our veterinarians also offer a range of wellness services. These include vaccinations, sheath cleaning, microchipping, faecal egg counts, nasolacrimal duct flushes, radiographs (such as abdominal X-rays for sand) and blood tests for conditions like Cushing’s disease and equine metabolic syndrome.

Most of these can be completed during your horse’s dental appointment, simply let us know at the time of booking or arrival.

Can I stay with my horse during their visit?

Yes, you’re welcome to stay with your horse throughout the appointment, or leave and come back. We love showing clients what is going on in their horse’s mouths but also understand if you need to head off. All our dentals are booked with extended appointment times (typically over an hour for a standard dental appointment) so we can thoroughly examine your horse’s mouth and perform any necessary treatment on the day.

This approach allows us to identify and address small issues early, before they develop into painful or complex problems. A veterinary nurse or assistant is always present to record findings, assist with procedures, or even make you a cup of tea if you’d like.

What should I bring?

Please bring:

  • Any previous dental, veterinary, vaccination, or worming records, including charts or notes you’ve received.
  • Your bridle, if you’d like us to assess your horse’s bit fit.
  • (Optional) A faecal sample (a few faecal balls in a ziplock bag labelled with the horse’s name and worming history) if you’d like us to perform a faecal egg count.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early so your horse can settle and graze. Our nurses will greet you on arrival, and there’s ample parking and float turnaround space at the clinic.

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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!

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