A retrospective study of dental floating on pregnancy outcomes in
Thoroughbred broodmares
Abstract
Background: There is a concern that performing routine dental floats
could result in adverse pregnancy outcomes in mares. There is a paucity
of data on the effect of dentistry during pregnancy in domestic species.
In women, dental prophylaxis is considered safe during pregnancy.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if routine
dental floating was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in
Thoroughbred broodmares. Study Design: Retrospective records analysis
Methods: Clinical and farm records from 2013 to 2021 were utilized.
Abortion, stillbirth and placentitis was modeled using SAS GLIMMIX
procedure. Time of the dental procedure was categorized in two ways,
occurring when the mares were 1) open or pregnant or 2) open, during the
1st trimester (0 – 114 days), the 2 nd trimester (115
– 228 days) or the 3 rd trimester (> 229
days) of pregnancy for separate models for each outcome. Significance
was set at P < 0.05. Results: Both logistic regression models
examining abortion found age of mare at the time of float remained
significant, while trimester of dental procedure, farm and year float
was performed were not significant. Both logistic regression models
examining stillbirth found the age of the mare at the time of float
remained significant, with location being significant in the first model
(open or pregnant) and a tendency (0.10 > P >
0.05) in the second model (open, 1 st, 2
nd, or 3 rd trimester). Other
variables in the models were not significant. Farm remained significant
in both logistic models of placentitis, while age of mare at the time of
float, trimester of dental float and year float was performed were not
significant. Main Limitations: Not a controlled study. Conclusions:
Floating a mare’s teeth during each trimester of pregnancy is a safe
procedure.