A retrospective study of dental floating on pregnancy outcomes in Thoroughbred broodmares

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 utilised. Abortion, stillbirth and placentitis were modelled using the SAS GLIMMIX procedure. Time of the dental procedure was categorised in two ways, occurring when the mares were (1) open or pregnant or (2) open, during the first trimester (0–114 days), the second trimester (115–228 days) or the third 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 the mare at the time of float remained significant, while the trimester of dental procedure, farm and year float 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, first, second or third trimester). Other variables in the models were not significant. Farm remained significant in both logistic models of placentitis, while the 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.