A. The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners shall annually certify any practitioner of teeth floating, known as a nonveterinary equine dental care provider and as defined by paragraph 25 of Section 698.2 of Title 59 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Certification shall be issued within ninety (90) days of application, and to be eligible for this certification, nonveterinary equine dental care providers shall provide proof of qualification to be a nonveterinary equine dental care provider using one of the following methods:

1. Completion of at least eighty (80) hours of training in equine dentistry at the Texas Institute of Equine Dentistry, the Academy of Equine Dentistry or a similar program approved by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners; or

2. Certification as an equine dental technician by the International Association of Equine Dentistry or its equivalent by a similar certifying organization approved by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

B. Prior to July 1, 2011, teeth floaters shall be granted certification upon submission of a signed and notarized affidavit from three persons who are residents of this state, stating that they know this individual and the individual is known by the community to be a nonveterinary equine dental care provider. Of the three residents, one shall be from a veterinarian that is licensed to practice in the state; and one shall be from the current president of any official statewide association representing horses, horse breeds or horsemen, or a horse owner currently residing in the state.

C. Proof of four (4) hours of continuing education shall be required for annual certification renewal for teeth floaters. This continuing education shall be a course approved by the Texas Institute of Equine Dentistry, the Academy of Equine Dentistry, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the International Association of Equine Dentistry or a similar organization approved by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and shall be obtained in the twelve-month period immediately preceding the year for which the certification is to be issued.

D. If prescription drugs, not to include any controlled dangerous substances as defined in the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, are to be used in nonveterinary equine dental care procedures, the equine owner shall contact a veterinarian licensed by the state. If the veterinarian deems that prescription drugs, not to include any controlled dangerous substances as defined in the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, are necessary, the veterinarian may assemble those drugs and may allow the owner or the owner’s agent, who can be a nonveterinary equine dental care provider, to pick up those drugs and deliver them to the equine owner. No prescription drugs shall be prescribed, dispensed, or administered without the establishment of a valid client-patient relationship between the equine owner and the veterinarian. Prescription drugs must be used in accordance with United States Food and Drug Administration regulations.

E. Complaints related to any teeth floater shall be filed with the State Veterinarian through the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. The State Veterinarian may investigate complaints, and may forward findings as it deems appropriate to the appropriate law enforcement entity.

Added by Laws 2010, c. 112, § 4.