Certificate of Recognition
Our primary goal is to promote qualified care through proper techniques, resources, and continuing education for the betterment and health of the horse.
Smaller equine or the miniature class of equine pose overall challenges in providing dental maintenance and
care that requires an acquired skill set. By mastering these skills, we have an opportunity to raise the standard
of care for these smaller breeds. Elevating the standard of care is part of the mission of the EDPA.
Currently, the EDPA provides approved certification for entry-level skills as required for licensing. In addition,
the EDPA provides annual education programs as a commitment to lifelong learning; which is the obligation of
every licensed professional regardless of their profession.
The EDPA is committed to providing focused and competent dental care for the horses we serve. Our small
equine patients require additional education, training, and experience in order to meet their needs. Therefore,
as we strive to raise the standard of care, we are required to meet those goals.
The EDPA is offering a Small Equine Certificate Recognition testing process for those members who have
already completed the EDPA Certification Testing. At the end of the testing process, the candidate will receive a
Certificate of Recognition in Small Equine Dental Studies and Testing
You will be able to display or advertise the certificate as part of your credentials.
** NOTE: You cannot use the term “Specialist or Specializing”. That term is reserved for Board Certified
individuals by recognized specialties within the American Veterinary Medical Association
(AVMA) and subsequently reserved for veterinarians.
Payment Breakdown for EDPA Certified Members: Total fee for Small Equine Testing is $250
1. $50 Evaluation Fee; due when submitting ALL case studies
2. $200 final Testing
Payment Breakdown for EDPA Certified Non-Members: Total fee for Small Equine Testing is $400
1. $100 Evaluation Fee; due when submitting ALL case studies
2. $300 final Testing
*** Online Application is Prefered IF You Can Not Apply or Submit Forms Online Please Download Small Equine Certificate of Recognition Testing
To begin the Certificate of Recognition testing by the EDPA, the candidate must start by completing and submitting the following with the Application:
Credential Documents (copies of):
- EDPA Certification Certificate
- License(s) held in State you work in. (if state requires)
- Continuing Education Documentation (last two years)
- Reference Letters: 2 clients and 2 Veterinarians
PART 1- PRACTICAL LIVE HORSE TESTING
1. Submission of 4 cases of various ages and various degrees of difficulty
a. Various ages:
i. 1 case of a 2-4 year old
ii. 1 case of a 5-10 year old
iii. 1 case of a 11-20 year old
v. 1 case of a 21+ year old
2. Each case study MUST be submitted with the following:
a. A DETAILED dental chart with Recommendations
b. EDPA Small Equine Testing Supervising Veterinarian Evaluation Form
c. LABELED Before and After Photos
i. Incisors: Left, Central, and Right Views
ii. Intraoral: Clear Views of All Arcades!!!
1. 100 and 200 arcades together
2. 300 ad 400 arcades separate (together only if both arcades can be seen
completely)
d. Photos of any tooth extractions and any other pathology that you note.
e. Side picture of the entire horse/ Equipment candidate used
• FLUSH ORAL CAVITY BEFORE TAKING ALL PHOTOS!
Unclear photos will be disqualified!!
The 4 case studies will be reviewed by the evaluation team within 60 days. The candidate will be notified by the Certification Director via email if they passed or failed. Passing candidates will move on to the next testing process.
WRITTEN TEST
The written test will be given on Thursday evening at the annual October conference in Katy Texas. Testing candidates will be given a testing number. Only the office will have the name of the testing candidate.
Candidates will be notified of the testing time.
Written test will be in the form of multiple choice and true/false questions. The candidate will have 1 hour to
complete the written test.
Testing questions will pertain to the following information:
Anatomy and Physiology of Small Equine
Aging of Small Equine
Oral Pathology
Abnormal pathology seen in Small Equine
Small Equine Genetics
Equipment Safe for Small Equine
Small Equine Maintenance Care
The candidate must pass with an 80% or better score to move on to Part 3
SKULL CASE-BASED EXAMINTION TEST
The examination testing will take place at the annual October conference in Katy Texas. Candidates will be notified of the testing time.
Testing Candidates will be assigned a testing number. Only the office will have the name of the testing candidate. The evaluation team will not know who the testing candidate is.
The case-based examination will be designed to present 3 small equine skull cases that the candidate will be
asked to chart the pathology, course of management, and recommendations.
Each candidate will have 30 minutes to complete each skull evaluation. For a total testing time of 90 minutes.
Candidates must pass with an 80% or better score.
Once the test is completed, candidates can leave. Notification of results will be sent via email. Candidates who
pass will receive their Certificates in the mail.