Veterinary and equine workers invited to have their say

Equine dental technicians are being encouraged to take part in an online consultation on the new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for the sector.

Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for animal health and welfare industries, is developing NOS - recognised standards for equine dental technicians.

People from all areas of the veterinary and equine sector are invited to participate in the online consultation, giving their comments of the roles, skills and responsibilities of equine dental technicians, between December 10, 2012, and January 13, 2013.

NOS describe what people need to do, know and understand in order to carry out their job role in a consistent and competent way and promote equine health and welfare. They are hoped to provide a foundation to build qualifications that reflect good practice.

The online consultation is the final part of the NOS review, following numerous working meetings with representatives from Defra, RCVS, BAEDT, WWAED, BEVA and BVDA.

The equine dental procedures included in the draft NOS are considered to be acts of veterinary surgery under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

President of the BEVA, Keith Chandler, said: "BEVA welcomes this opportunity for dental procedures carried out by equine dental technicians in the UK to be formalised as NOS… We look forward to working with Lantra and the equine dental technicians during the consultation period and beyond.”

Click here to participate in the consultation, or here to find out more.