Table 2. Grading System for Equine Dental Caries Degree
or Grade Grading Evaluation
Degree 0 No macroscopic visible caries (can include infundibular hypoplasia)
Degree 1 Caries only affecting the cementum -from small pitting superficial spots (class 1) -extensive destruction and loss of cementum (class 2)
Grade 2 Caries affecting cementum and adjacent enamel Grade 3 Caries affecting cementum, enamel, and dentin Grade 4 Caries now affects the integrity of the tooth (e.g., development of an apical abscess or secondary tooth fracture)
Cheek teeth infundibulae are a common site for
carious lesions. A recent study in the United King- dom found 45.5% of 706 horses had infundibular caries.3 The severity of the lesions can be recorded
based on an infundibular grading system used by Homna and more recently modified by Dacre4 (Table 2). The findings of the examination need to be metic- ulously documented as they are part of the patient’s medical records. Many types of dental records can be obtained free of charge online or created by the practitioner. One example can be found at the American Veterinary Dental College’s (AVDC) web- sitea. If making a chart for one’s own needs, the following should be included:
● Owner and patient information ● History ● Physical exam findings (excluding oral exam) ● Sedation type and dose ● Local, regional nerve blocks ● Notes and diagrams of findings to include: Location of soft tissue injuries or abnor- mal tissue
Fig. 5. A sample dental chart. This can be used on a tablet device or hand written. AAEP PROCEEDINGS Vol. 64 2018 23
