I graduated from the RVC and after 4 years in mixed practice undertook a surgical residency at The University of Edinburgh where my interest in dentistry became necessary as nobody else would touch the subject. During this period, which marked the start of an era of productive era of research led by Prof. Dixon, we reviewed the complications inherent in the techniques of the time and revisited traditional methods. Despite ancient instrumentation, by using better analgesia we found a greatly reduced complication incidence with oral extraction. Since then improvements in analgesia, instrumentation, and diagnostic imaging have contributed to its evolution into standard practice. Subsequently during collaboration with international colleagues this as led to great advancements in our understanding of dental pathology and in combination with newer diagnostic imaging techniques we are much better placed to manage equine dental disease. My journey led me through faculty positions at Universities of Edinburgh Ohio State and Bristol, supervising research students and residents, and teaching students and veterinarians internationally. I was drawn into private practice in 2017, where i continue to provide specialist referral services in dentistry and maxillo-facial surgery. I contribute to a number of association boards, publish occasionally and appear at international conferences. I believe that progress in equine dentistry must be led by science and not just technical advances. I am lucky to specialise in both dentistry and surgery, which reminds me that the dentition is just one of many components of a whole organism and i also believe that specialisation can only thrive in an environment of scientific collaboration rather than commercial competition.