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GUIDELINES FOR THE 2018 BEVA/BVDA

ACCREDITATION EXAM IN EQUINE DENTISTRY These guidelines are designed to provide prospective exam candidates with comprehensive details of how the

exam is structured and what is required in order to pass.

Please ensure that you read these guidelines thoroughly, double check the requirements, and ask any questions

in plenty of time. Candidates fail every year because they have not carefully adhered to the guidelines.

PURPOSE

The examination is designed to test whether candidates know, understand, and can apply what is required in

order to carry out their job role, as accredited equine dental technicians (Category 1 and 2 procedures as

described at Appendix 1), in a consistent and competent way and promote equine health and welfare.

STRUCTURE

The exam consists of three parts:

1. Assessment of credentials

2. A theory exam

3. A practical (clinical) examination.

See Appendix 2 for appropriate performance criteria

ELIGIBILITY

The examination is open to trainee Equine Dental Technicians (EDT’s) and veterinary surgeons that can

demonstrate that they have undergone structured approved training.

APPROVED TRAINING INCLUDES:

Training under the direct supervision of a BAEDT member;

Training under the direct supervision of a veterinary surgeon with expertise in equine dentistry (e.g.

certificate or diploma holder in equine dentistry or passed the BEVA/BVDA exam or equivalent);

Completion of an approved higher education/degree course (currently only the degree courses in equine

dental studies with approval are the BSc/FdSC run previously at Hartpury College);

Attendance at courses for EDT’s run by BEVA, BVDA or BAEDT;

Other UK or Overseas training providers may be approved, but this should be clarified BEFORE submission of

credentials.

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ASSESSMENT OF CREDENTIALS

Credentials will be rejected automatically and no feedback will be provided if

Credentials are submitted after the submission deadline or without complete payment.

Credentials that are incomplete or illegible

Credentials are submitted that include illegal participation in Category 3 dental procedures

(unless the candidate is also an MRCVS)

BAEDT offer a credential-checking scheme prior to the application deadline to ensure candidates meet all the

necessary requirements for credential submission. While BEVA/BVDA encourage the use of this service,

candidates should be aware that examiners are not bound by the advice given by BAEDT staff.

In order to be allowed to sit the examination the examiners must approve your credentials.

Examiners will not approve credentials, which fail to demonstrate the expected standard of knowledge and

understanding. In this case candidates will fail the whole examination

You must submit the following items:

A Completed Application Form (see Appendix 3)

The Examination Fee as detailed on the Application Form

A Case Log comprising dental charts relating to 300 equine dental cases (see Appendix 4 for details)

Evidence of appropriate Supervised training including validated references (see Appendix 5 for details)

Evidence of the following (see Appendix 6 for details):

o Attendance, within the last 5 years preceding the application deadline, at the 2-day BEVA/BVDA

advanced theoretical EDT course. This has now become compulsory for all candidates with the

exception of Hartpury BSc/FdSc degree course students graduating since 2012, regardless of

previous education. However a veterinary surgeon (MRCVS) is only required to attend the second

day of the course.

AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

o Successful completion of an approved higher education/degree course in equine dental

studies/FdSc (currently only the Hartpury College courses are approved)

OR

o Training under the direct supervision of a BAEDT Member or Veterinary Surgeon with expertise in

equine dentistry (e.g. certificate or diploma holder in equine dentistry or passed the BEVA/BVDA

exam or equivalent)

OR

o Membership of the RCVS.

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All candidates are also strongly advised to attend a BAEDT pre-examination training course (see Appendix 7).

These courses provide an opportunity for hands on experience of working under exam conditions whilst receiving

tuition and guidance from those with experienced with the examination process.

CANDIDATES WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY TAKEN ONE OR BOTH EXAMS

If you have not passed the Theory exam in the last 5 years you will be required to sit both the Theory and

Practical Exam. You need to submit the following items:

A Completed Application Form (Appendix 3)

The Examination Fee as detailed on the Application Form

15 new Advanced cases (see Appendix 4 for details) seen during the 12 months prior to the application

deadline. These must be signed, stamped and dated by the attending veterinary surgeon.

Evidence of at least five days of appropriate Supervised training since the last exam attempt AND two

new validated references (see Appendix 5 for details)

If you have passed the Theory exam within the last 5 years and are resitting the Practical Exam only you need to

submit the following items:

A Completed Application Form (Appendix 3)

The Examination Fee as detailed on the Application Form

15 new Advanced cases (see Appendix 4) for details) seen during the 12 months prior to the application

deadline. These must be signed, stamped and dated by the attending veterinary surgeon.

Evidence of at least Five days of appropriate Supervised training since the last exam attempt AND two

new validated references (see Appendix 5 for details)

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THE THEORY EXAM

The theory examination consists of 2 separate parts:

MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMINATION

45 graphical multiple choice questions, covering dental anatomy, digestive physiology, health and safety,

equipment, pathology, legislation, dental examination, dental treatments, dental imaging.

Questions are based on the BEVA/BVDA Advanced Theoretical EDT course for dental technicians. The examination

is completed on a computer and marked automatically. Questions comprise a specific question, often relating to

an image, and up to five answer options where candidates must select the single BEST answer. Past questions are

not available in advance but specimen questions are available on request from the BAEDT office.

CHARTING EXAMINATION

The candidate is required to examine 2 cadaveric skulls and produce an accurate chart of findings and a summary

treatment plan. 30 minutes is allowed per skull.

The charts and plans are marked according to an examination committee template.

Illegible charts are not examinable and will receive no marks.

Both parts of the theory examination must be passed in order to proceed to the practical examination.

The examiners will make reasonable adjustment provision for candidates who have special educational or other

needs. Any application for reasonable adjustments must be made to the BAEDT Secretary no later than three

weeks before the closing date of entry for the submission of credentials.

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THE PRACTICAL EXAM

(If you have not passed the theory exam in the last five years you will need re sit it before taking the practical

exam).

The practical examination will consist of a clinical case on which the candidate is expected to demonstrate:

Suitable horse handling skills

Examination of the horse with respect to its dentition

Compilation of a treatment plan

Commencement of treatment

Completion of a dental chart

Candidates may set up their equipment 30 minutes before the start of the exam. They are then allowed one hour

for the practical elements of the exam and a further 30 minutes to complete the chart.

A Veterinary examiner and an EDT Examiner will conduct the examination and candidates should describe their

findings, plan and treatments as they go along. The examiners will ask questions throughout the exam to give the

candidates further opportunities to explain what they can see, what they propose to do, what they are doing and

why. These questions are designed to allow candidates to demonstrate their knowledge rather than to trip

candidates up.

Candidates must ensure that all observations are accurately recorded on the dental chart and not just described

verbally.

Candidates must demonstrate safe and proficient use of both manual and motorised instrumentation during the

exam.

Treatments required that are not completed in the allocated time must be clearly indicated on the final chart

and, as long as this is done, candidates will not be penalised if they have not completed all the required

treatments.

Different candidates will be examined on different horses demonstrating different pathologies but the marking

system is designed to assess the knowledge and ability of the candidate irrespective of the horse or the degree of

dental pathology.

Examples of how candidates are assessed by examiners are provided at Appendix 8.

All horses will be sedated for the exam and the exam will commence once the horse is sedated. Additional

sedation may be requested by the candidate during the exam and will be administered at the discretion of the

veterinary examiner. If further sedation is administered the allowed time will be extended accordingly.

Candidates must bring only the equipment required for the examination (see Appendix 9). Candidates are

responsible for bringing their own equipment and ensuring that it is in clean, full working order. Candidates will

not be allowed to complete the examination if the equipment being used does not meet required standards of

quality or hygiene.

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Examination Procedures

The examinations are conducted as University type examinations and standard rules apply:

Examiners with a pre-determined conflict of interest in relation to a particular candidate will not take any

part in the assessment of that candidate either during the exam, during the examiners meeting, or during

any subsequent appeal.

Candidates’ advisors or mentors will not be allowed in the examination areas unless they are a member

of the examiners’ committee. Candidates will not be examined by, or communicate with, their advisors

or mentors in the examination areas.

ONLY members of the examiners’ committee, candidates, and appointed handlers will be allowed in the

designated examination area.

Examination rules

Candidates must provide their own pens or pencils. Hats, caps or earphones may not be worn. No

personal items can be brought into examination areas (for multiple choice, charting or practical

examinations)

Candidates may not bring any written materials (other than blank dental charts/worksheets) or recording

devices, including mobile phones, into the examination area.

Mobile phones or other communication devices, including smart watches, are prohibited during the

examination.

Candidates must not communicate with other candidates using any method (including electronic

communication) or allow other candidates to communicate with them during the examinations.

Blank paper will be provided for taking notes but must not be removed from the examination room.

Candidates must not pass on details of question to subsequent candidates.

Cheating or breaches of these rules will result in candidates being disqualified from the entire examination

process

EXAMINATION PROTOCOL

The examination is overseen by BEVA and the BVDA

An Examiners’ Committee is appointed each year comprising an equal number of BEVA/BVDA and BAEDT

examiners (numbers dependent of the number of examination entries).

In addition, an External Examiner is appointed to oversee the examination process on behalf of the

candidates and to assist the examiners with any queries. This individual does not examine candidates.

Examiners notify the examiners’ committee of any conflicts of interest in relation to individual candidates

(e.g. mentoring, relationships, conflicts) to ensure that the examiner is excluded from having any

influence on the assessment of that candidate.

A BEVA/BVDA examiner assesses the candidate’s credentials independently and their findings are

corroborated.

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Two BEVA/BVDA examiners who compare the charts to a template assess the theory examination. The

multiple-choice test is marked automatically.

In the practical exam an examination team comprising one examiner from BEVA and one examiner from

the BAEDT examines each candidate independently.

There may be a need for trainee examiners to be present observing the examination. These individuals

are examiners in training and are merely there to learn academic examination procedures and processes

for subsequent years and are therefore not involved in assessment of candidates. Their numbers are

limited and they will be distributed within the practical examination and correction areas to ensure that

candidates are not placed under undue pressure.

EXAMINERS’ MEETING

Following the practical examination, an examiners’ meeting is held to discuss the marks obtained at the various

written, practical and clinical parts of the examination (each examiner independently marks the candidate he or

she is examining). The Examiner’s Committee reaches agreement on the results and the External Examiner then

reviews these results.

NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS

Once approved by the External Examiner the results are passed to the BAEDT and BEVA.

BAEDT will notify candidates by email as to whether they have passed or failed within two working days of the

practical exam.

BEVA will send a letter to each candidate within two weeks (10 working days) of the practical exam. The letter

will either include a pass certificate or a brief report highlighting areas of weakness (see below).

FAILURE OF ALL OR PART OF THE EXAMINATION

A brief report will be given to any candidate who fails any part of the examination. This report will highlight areas

of weakness identified by the examiners and will suggest constructive theoretical and practical ways that these

shortfalls can be rectified prior to re-sitting the examination. The examiners will also recommend a specific time

interval before the candidate re-sits the examination. This individual recommendation is designed to allow

candidates to undertake the necessary training to have the best chance of being successful at the re-sit.

If a candidate fails the practical part examination they will only have to repeat the practical examination.

The Examination Committee’s decision is final. As with all professional exams no written or verbal

correspondence will be entered into concerning the examination committees’ decision or the content of the brief

report described above.

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APPEALS

Candidates who feel that they have not been examined in accordance with these guidelines can appeal against

the outcome.

Disappointment at the result is not grounds for an appeal if the exam has been conducted fairly.

APPEALS PROCEDURE.

The candidate must appeal in writing to the BAEDT office

The BAEDT Office must receive the appeal within one week (5 working days) of the candidate receiving

the feedback for each of the three components of the examination.

Candidates’ mentors may not lodge an appeal. Appeals lodged by mentors will not be considered or

responded to.

The candidate will be notified once the BAEDT office receives the appeal.

The external examiner will consider the findings of the examination committee in relation to the

examination guidelines, and make a decision to uphold or reject the appeal.

The findings of the external examiner will be passed to the candidate via the BAEDT Office within 28 days

of the appeal being lodged.

Once credentials have been submitted, there is no possibility of resubmission.

As with all vocational examinations, regrettably, some candidates are likely to fail part or all of the examination

(as also occurs in veterinary and dental examinations) and at the time this can be very upsetting to the candidate.

However, candidates who initially failed and later passed this BEVA/BAEDT examination have, following initial

disappointment, later spoken and written to us about the very positive nature of this process and freely admit that

the standard of their knowledge and work was not of the highest standard at the initial sitting, and that it

improved enormously before sitting and passing the examination at the second attempt. In retrospect, but not at

the time of the examination, they felt the examination was fair and acknowledge that they did in fact require

additional skills and knowledge to achieve the high level of knowledge and competency, which we are all trying to

attain.

For further information, contact Tanya Betts, BAEDT secretary; baedt@hotmail.co.uk

Appendix 1

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EQUINE DENTAL PROCEDURES FOR SUITABLY TRAINED/QUALIFIED EDTS (JUNE 2009)

CATEGORY 1 PROCEDURES

Those procedures, which an individual can perform after, recognised training without specific attainment of

qualifications.

Examination of teeth;

Removal of sharp enamel points using manual rasps only;

Removal of small dental overgrowths (maximum 4mm reductions) using manual rasps only;

Rostral profiling of the first cheek teeth (maximum 4mm reductions), previously termed ‘bit seat shaping’;

Removal of loose deciduous caps; and

Removal of supragingival calculus.

CATEGORY 2 PROCEDURES

Additional procedures suitable for delegation to an EDT who has trained and passed an examination approved by

DEFRA:

Examination, evaluation and recording of dental abnormalities;

The removal of loose teeth or dental fragments with negligible periodontal attachments

The removal of erupted, non-displaced wolf teeth in the upper or lower jaw under direct and continuous

veterinary supervision;

Palliative rasping of fractured and adjacent teeth; and

The use of motorised dental instruments where these are used to reduce overgrowths and remove sharp

enamel points only. Horses should be sedated unless it is deemed safe to undertake any proposed

procedure without sedation, with full informed consent of the owner.

CATEGORY 3 PROCEDURES.

All other procedures (involving diagnosis or treatment of animals) and any new procedures, which arise as a

result of scientific and technical development, would by default fall into Category 3, which are those procedures

restricted to qualified veterinary surgeons and are not proposed for deregulation. It is therefore NOT legal for

these to be performed by non-veterinarians.

Appendix 2

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PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

YOU MUST BE ABLE TO:

P1 Obtain an appropriate medical history with respect to signs of dental and oral disease and previous dental

treatments.

P2 Appreciate animal behaviour signs.

P3 Conduct a physical assessment of the horse/pony/donkey with respect to external structures adjacent to

the dentition.

P4 Place an oral speculum in situ safely

P5 Recognise clinical signs of avoidance or excitement indicating chemical sedation is required.

P6 Be able to communicate professionally with a veterinary surgeon to arrange provision of sedation at a

mutually convenient time and location.

P7 Remove retained food by rinsing

P8 Perform a visual examination of the horse’s mouth.

P9 Perform a digital examination of the horse’s mouth.

P10 Identify signs of oral pathology.

P11 Be able to recommend the appropriate treatments for lesions identified.

P12 Identify and recognise which lesions require veterinary treatment and make appropriate

recommendations.

P13 Perform treatments as listed in categories 1 and 2 safely (see Appendix 1).

P14 Recommend post treatment care.

P15 Describe and annotate findings and treatments professionally on a dental record.

YOU SHOULD ALSO KNOW/BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE:

16. Knowledge of the Laws relating to animal procedures, professional ethics and appropriate

communications between professional colleagues and technicians. (VSA 1966, Animal Welfare Act,

Veterinary Medicines Directorate)

17. Awareness of the use of ancillary diagnostic aids e.g. radiography, endoscopy, scintigraphy and of the

limitations of a physical examination when dealing with oral problems.

18. The competent use of both manual and motorised dental rasps. (over reliance on powered tools will be

considered a weakness)

19. Rostral edges of 1st cheek teeth (‘06s’) should be contoured for the individual horse. Excessive reductions,

exaggerated bit seats and possible pulp exposure are considered to be contra-indicated.

20. Appropriate reduction of clinically significant excessive transverse ridges only.

21. Excessive removal of lateral ridges or palatal cingulae of the upper cheek teeth e.g. removal of peripheral

over 1 cm from the occlusal surface is contraindicated.

22. Excessive reduction of dental tissue, and smoothing of occlusal surfaces, as proposed by some

organisations internationally, is considered non-physiological and is contra-indicated. The requirements

of this BEVA/BVDA examination may differ considerably from some of the American examinations in this

respect.

Appendix 3

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APPLICATION FORM - BEVA/BVDA EDT EXAM 2018 CLOSING DATE: 16TH OCTOBER 2017

Name…………………………………………………………………………………………………........................................................................

Address………………………………………………………………………………………………........................................................................

………………………………………………………………………………………Telephone:……………………………………………………………………….

I have not previously taken any part of the BEVA/BVDA Examination ◻ (£200 deposit payable)

I am applying to retake the BEVA/BAEDT Theory Examination ◻ (£85 deposit payable)

I am applying to retake the BEVA/BVDA Practical Examination ◻ (£85 deposit payable)

I wish to apply for reasonable adjustment provision on the basis of special educational or other needs ◻

I enclose my non-refundable deposit (see exam fees on following page) of £…………. for the exam in the form of a

◻ Cheque made payable to BAEDT

◻ BACS (Banking details on request from BAEDT office)

Completed credentials and payment should be sent to: BAEDT secretary, West Lodge, Low Common, Bunwell,

Norfolk, NR16 1TG before the application deadline.

I confirm I have read and agree to comply with the Terms and Conditions below:

Signed…………………………………………………………… Date:……………………………………………..

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

VENUES ARE NORMALLY COVERED BY THIRD PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE. HOWEVER DELEGATES MUST ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE APPROPRIATE LIABILITY INSURANCE.

The initial deposit payment is for examination of credentials and is non-refundable.

Candidates will be informed of their eligibility to undertake the examination after all application documents have been received on time and approved.

Candidates who fail to pass the written and spot test examinations will not go forward to undertake the practical examination.

Candidates will be informed within 1 week of the written and spot examinations whether they are eligible to undertake the practical.

Candidates must follow appropriate biosecurity and client confidentiality practices.

By submitting him or herself for examination, the candidate declares themselves:

o Fit and able to undertake the assessments involved

o Aware of the risks associated with equine dental care and be able to assess and react to those risks.

Appendix 3

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FEES & CHECKLIST - BEVA/BVDA EDT EXAM 2018

2018 EXAM FEES

First time applicants (non Hartpury):

o Theory and Practical exam £750 (Including non-refundable deposit of £200)

First time applicants (Hartpury):

o Practical exam £650 (Including non-refundable deposit of £200)

Retake Applicants:

o Retake of Theory and Practical exam £585 (Including non-refundable deposit of £85)

o Retake of Practical exam £535 (Including non-refundable deposit of £85)

CHECKLIST OF DOCUMENTATION

NEW CANDIDATES

❑ Completed Application Form

❑ Examination Fee

❑ Case Log comprising 300 dental charts (including

40 validated advanced cases)

❑ Evidence of appropriate supervised training

❑ Two validated references

❑ Evidence of approved education

THEORY AND/OR PRACTICAL RESITS

❑ Completed Application Form

❑ Examination Fee

❑ Case Log comprising 15 advanced cases

❑ Evidence of appropriate supervised training

❑ Two new validated references

IMPORTANT DATES

18th-19th Aug 2017 BEVA/BVDA Advanced Theoretical EDT Course - Jurys Inn, Broad Street,

Birmingham – please check BEVA website for further details.

25th September - 16th October 2017 Credential Pre-Check - Applications reviewed by BAEDT for basic

administrative compliance.

Appendix 3

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(This may allow candidates time to correct any identified errors or

omissions). Please contact the BAEDT office for further details.

16th October 2017 Deadline for receipt of applications.

19th Feb 2018 Theory exam; please check BAEDT website for further details.

Mar 2018 Practical exam; please check BAEDT website for further details.

Appendix 4

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CASE LOG REQUIREMENTS

Dental charts relating to 300 equine dental cases.

ALL CASES

All dental charts must be legible and complete. Any incomplete or illegible charts will be discounted and the

candidate will not be eligible to sit either the theory or the practical part of the exam.

Every chart must:

Be numbered and dated (charts which are not dated and numbered will be discounted)

Include the candidate’s original signature (photocopied signatures will be discounted)

Include the name of the candidate carrying out the examination/procedure

Describe the reason for the examination,

Describe the examination findings

Describe the procedures carried out

use diagrams where appropriate.

Candidates may use any dental chart that, in the opinion of the examiners, clearly communicates the required

information.

All abbreviations other than the Triadan system, and “ETR” (excessive transverse ridge) should be

explained/expanded on each chart on which they are used.

At least 50% of the dental charts must relate to procedures performed in the UK

Candidates should retain a copy of the charts in case they are required to answer any queries. Original charts

can be returned on request after the practical exam.

NB. Examiners would prefer charts NOT to be submitted in individual plastic pockets

Appendix 4

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ADVANCED CASES

40 of these charts must relate to advanced cases and must be submitted as a clearly identified separate

section from the charts of routine cases. Candidates need to show a range of work with no more than 75% in

any one area.

Advanced cases, for the purpose of this exam, are those in which collaboration with a veterinary surgeon was

necessary, or which required sedation for a reason other than sharp enamel points.

Every advanced case dental chart must (in addition to the requirements for all charts listed above):

Indicate why the case is considered to be advanced

Be countersigned and dated by the attending veterinary surgeon on the day the work was

undertaken. Failure to countersign charts will result in credential rejection.

Include a clear and legible Practice Stamp from the attending veterinary surgeon’s practice or provide

a valid email address.

Supervising veterinary surgeons will be contacted to validate these submissions.

The advanced cases must have been undertaken after either:

Completion of the BEVA/BVDA advanced theory course, or

Completion of the second year of the Equine Dental Science FdSc at Hartpury College

At least 50% of the advanced case dental charts must relate to procedures performed in the UK.

Appendix 5

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EVIDENCE OF SUPERVISED TRAINING

DAYS SUPERVISED

The candidate must also spend a minimum of five full days in the 12 months prior to the application deadline,

working under supervision with an EDT who has passed the BEVA/BVDA EDT exam or with a vet with expertise in

equine dentistry (e.g. certificate or diploma holder in equine dentistry or passed the BEVA/BVDA exam or

equivalent).

A signed and dated letter from the supervisor (on headed paper) confirming the number of full days worked

under supervision along with the dates (using the template below), must be included in the application (see

example below).

I, ………………………………. BAEDT/MRCVS (delete as appropriate), supervised the following candidate’s training on

the following dates:

Candidate’s name: ………………………………………………………………………….

1st date:

2nd date:

3rd date:

4th date:

5th date:

Additional dates:

I consider the following candidate………………………………………. sufficiently well prepared to sit the BEVA/BVDA

examination.

REFERENCES

All candidates must include in their application two written references, one from a BAEDT member and one from

a veterinary surgeon with at least 3 years post-graduate experience.

Retake candidates (for both theory and practical retakes) must submit new references (i.e. references written

since they failed the exam they are retaking).

These references (see example below) must be must be signed, dated, include the referees appropriate

qualification, be on headed paper and must indicate that, in the referee’s opinion, the candidate is ethical,

competent, safe and sufficiently well prepared to undertake the examination.

Appendix 5

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I, ..………………………………. BAEDT/MRCVS (delete as appropriate), consider the following candidate to be ethical,

competent, safe and sufficiently well prepared to undertake the BEVA/BVDA examination and has practiced with

me in a suitably collaborative manner to perform category 2 procedures.

Candidate’s name: …………………………………………………………….

NB. References from family members or relations will not be accepted.

Appendix 6

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EVIDENCE OF EDUCATION

All candidates must provide evidence of appropriate education via the following:

o Attendance, within the previous 5 years, at the 2-day BEVA/BVDA advanced theoretical EDT course (a

copy of the course attendance certificate must be included in the application). This has now become compulsory

for all candidates with the exception of Hartpury BSc/FdSc degree course students graduating since 2012,

regardless of previous education. However, a veterinary surgeon (MRCVS) is only required to attend the second

day of the course.

AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

o Successful completion of the degree course in equine dental science/FdSc at Hartpury College (a copy of

the degree certificate, or a signed letter on headed paper from the Head of the Course confirming that the

candidate has passed the course, must be included in the application)

OR

o Training under the direct supervision of a BAEDT Member or Veterinary Surgeon with expertise in equine

dentistry (e.g. certificate or diploma holder in equine dentistry or passed the BEVA/BVDA exam or equivalent)

OR

o membership of the RCVS (a copy of the RCVS certificate or appropriate section of the current register

must be included in the application)

Appendix 7

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COURSES

18th & 19th August 2017

BEVA/BVDA Advanced Theoretical EDT Course

Jury’s Inn Hotel, 245 Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2HQ

This lecture-based course is aimed at veterinarians and the more experienced EDT who wishes to sit the

BEVA/BVDA EDT examination in the future. The course will cover all the theory needed for the theory section

of the EDT Exam. At the end of day two the EDT exam will be discussed in detail highlighting the reasons for

previous exam failures. A copy of the comprehensive notes is included in the course fee, which is essential

reading when preparing to sit the EDT exam. A veterinary surgeon (MRCVS) is only required to attend the

second day of the course.

Course fee: £450

For more info or to book a place, please use the following link

https://www.beva.org.uk/Home/Education/CPD

BAEDT Courses can be viewed on the BAEDT website: baedt.com/CPD

Appendix 8

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PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

A PASS CANDIDATE WILL:

▪ Have an appropriately well maintained set of instruments

▪ Demonstrate competent horse handling ability.

▪ Confidently perform external examination of oral structures.

▪ Competently and confidently apply an oral speculum.

▪ Be able to assess appropriate levels of sedation.

▪ Demonstrate appropriate tissue handling during an oral examination.

▪ Observe and describe most (not necessarily all) oral features and dental pathology.

▪ Compile a thorough and appropriate treatment plan.

▪ Commence treatments (cat 1 and 2 only) in a suitable order.

▪ Perform treatments competently and safely using both manual and powered instruments without excessive trauma.

▪ Identify on-going treatments required at the end of the examination.

▪ Identify lesions or treatments that require collaboration or referral.

▪ Compile a thorough dental chart, legibly including identifying incomplete treatments.

A FAIL CANDIDATE WILL DEMONSTRATE ANY OF:

▪ Have unacceptable or contaminated instruments

▪ Show unsuitable horse handling ability.

▪ Fail to examine the horse’s mouth thoroughly or safely, including correct application of a speculum.

▪ Fail to show a working knowledge of the effects and modified behaviour associated with sedated horses.

▪ Fail to react appropriately to changes in the horse’s behaviour during the exam.

▪ Fail to observe multiple significant pathological lesions.

▪ Compile an inappropriate treatment plan.

▪ Fail to show safe and effective technique when performing procedures.

▪ Fail to show appropriate selection and application of any instruments present

▪ Perform or attempt to perform any illegal procedures.

▪ Remove excessive healthy dental tissue for no physiological reason

▪ Cause significant iatrogenic damage during the exam

▪ Fail to recognise significant relevant veterinary disease affecting the mouth.

▪ Fail to communicate their observations/actions with the examination team.

▪ Fail to complete a legible dental chart.

▪ Fail to identify remaining significant lesions that require treatment (some discretion to be given for minor subjective

lesions).

Appendix 8

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A BORDERLINE CANDIDATE MAY:

▪ Show a lack of confidence in performing the tasks under “PASS” above (allowing for nerves during the exam), and

display suboptimal animal handling skills.

▪ Omit some minor lesions when observing and compiling the treatment plan.

▪ Omit some minor elective procedures from a treatment plan.

▪ Perform individual tasks incompletely, (leaving minor outstanding features, particularly if inhibited by non-compliant

horses).

▪ Complete a chart of borderline quality or illegible but demonstrate good practical skills.

▪ Fail to show competence with BOTH manual and powered instruments

▪ A candidate will not be penalised for failing to complete all treatments in the allotted 1 hour (providing that

incomplete treatments are noted on the chart). Variation in aspects of treatment that are highly opinionated or

subjective e.g. rostral profiling, degree of rounding peripheries, degree of removal of ETR’s, will not result in a

candidate failing (unless iatrogenic damage is done) provided that candidates can justify their decisions.

Appendix 9

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BEVA/BVDA EXAM MARKING SHEET

Candidate…………………….………………………………….. Examination Start Time…………………………………………....

Equipment and Presentation

/10

Mark x1

Oral Examination and Treatment Plan

/10

Mark x3

Corrective Dental Work

/10

Mark x5

Charting and Follow Up Plan

/10

Mark x 1

TOTAL /100

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23

Additional Notes

Feedback Comments

EXAMINERS’ MARKING SCALE & NOTES

MARKING SCALE

10 Exceptional - goes beyond the expected material

9 Excellent - all the expected material, well ordered, thoughtful

8 Very good - almost all the expected material

7 Good - well organised presentation of most major points

6 Fair - lacks organisation and some of the major points, but adequate performance

5 Insufficient - some understanding of the subject, but insufficient to pass

4 Inadequate - limited in knowledge or understanding

3 Poor - very limited in knowledge and understanding

2 Very poor - muddled and seriously lacking in knowledge

1 Little that is relevant or correct

0 Nothing relevant or correct

NOTES

A good exam performance will be achieving marks between 7 and 8.

Only exceptional candidates will be achieving marks between 9 and 10.

All the elements within a particular area of assessment will be included, it is unlikely that a candidate’s

performance on single point alone, e.g. errors in individual ETR correction, would be sufficient to merit

failure of the entire section.

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Polarisation of marks i.e. very good or very bad, will be avoided – appropriate use of the marking scheme

will result in candidates with a range of marks across the entire scale with the majority lying in a group

somewhere in the middle.

Each area of assessment will be considered separately and the total marks used to create the final marks.

Marks will not be adjusted to actively “Pass” or “Fail” individual candidates.

The exam assessment process aims to be fair, and accountable. The examiners are not expecting

perfection; they are merely looking for candidates to achieve an acceptable standard. It should be

remembered examiners are selected on the basis of working to standard higher than that of the average

candidate and therefore comparisons between candidates’ and examiner’s standard of work will be

avoided.

Equine dentistry suffers from a lack of evidence-based practice in many fields. Examiners will avoid

allowing personal opinions on best practice to influence the uniformity of the assessment process.

The overall total pass mark for the exam is 60%.

EQUIPMENT AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING REQUIRED FOR THE PRACTICAL EXAM

Clean protective clothing (i.e. coverall or smock) and clean footwear (preferably, but not necessarily, with

steel toecaps)

A complete set of clean, safe and workable dental instruments including:

Full mouth speculum (gag)

Gag (not metal ring type – e.g. Swales) for incisor work

Range of dental rasps

Cap forceps

Wolf tooth extraction instruments

Bucket

Dose syringe

Disinfectant(s)

Light source

Dental mirror

Periodontal probes

Dental Explorer

Dental pick(s)

Power tools with suitable electric protection i.e. RCD (240V) as required

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All equipment must be cleaned and disinfected prior to the examination.

All equipment must be appropriate for purpose.

Candidates are entirely responsible for the function of their equipment.