Bruce Whittle of Trenton recently continued a nearly two-decade commitment to veterinary education as an instructor for the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association’s Fall Equine Dentistry Lecture and Wet Lab, held Sept. 25-27 at the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union.

Whittle, chair of the MVMA Equine Committee, originated the idea for the association’s Equine Dental Weekend and led the effort to establish the program in 2008.

Since its inception, MVMA has held 15 Equine Dental Weekends, bringing veterinarians together for education, hands-on training and service to horses in need. Whittle has remained a driving force behind the program and its continued success.

“This year’s program offered veterinarians 18.5 hours of state licensing board-approved continuing education covering oral cavity anatomy and physiology; dental instruments and techniques; sedation techniques; dental pathology and treatment; and a hands-on dental wet lab. Whittle instructed alongside Dennis Rach of Moore and Co. Veterinary Services in Calgary, Canada,” reads a release about the program.

The program also provides a direct benefit to horses in need. During the hands-on portion of this year’s seminar, participating veterinarians provided dental treatment at no charge to 38 horses awaiting adoption at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, representing an estimated $7,600 in veterinary services.

Whittle is a predominantly large animal veterinarian and co-owner of a mixed animal veterinary practice in Trenton with his wife, Gayla. His interest in equine dentistry extends well beyond Missouri. For more than a decade, he has been involved in teaching dentistry short courses at veterinary colleges through the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

“Through his leadership of the MVMA Equine Committee, Whittle has helped maintain the dental program as an important continuing education opportunity for Missouri veterinarians while also providing needed veterinary care to horses at the rescue ranch,” reads the release.