Botox Treatments by Dentists

By Erin O'breen


There are different reasons that people may wish to have Botox injections administered by a trained professional, sometimes it's for medical issues, and other times it's simply to enhance the appearance of the patient. There are rather stringent guidelines on who should be allowed to inject botox injection, with the overall suggestion being that a trained doctor should be performing them. Of course, other trained personnel such as nurses can also inject botox but in the presence of a trained physician.

Recently, there has been some discussion as to whether dentists can prescribe and administer botox injections. Many considerations are made while determining the qualifications, and part of that are the laws of the state where it is administered.

Below we will discuss some of the specifics.

Which are the points in question?

The proper training must be taken, as dentists who deliver botox are bound by the same guidelines as other medical personnel. While these treatments are not extremely complicated like some procedures such as brain surgery, an elaborate knowledge of the anatomy is essential to deliver the injections safely and effectively. Side effects can occur and the treating professional needs to be aware of them and capable of handling them.

In other words, dentists who are trained in prescribing and administering botox injections will likely be allowed to inject botox.

Dentists and botox injections

At this time, dentists are approved for botox injections in most states in America. There is a difference between standard injections for cosmetic reasons, and the way botox is administered. A dental plan in the state of California would permit a dentist to treat myofascial conditions with botox, the Dental Board of California certifies this. The use of botox for cosmetic reasons by dentists however is illegal. Administering it for this reason involves the Facial Cosmetic Surgery Permit to approve of the procedure. Within the state of Georgia, dentists need to take a 21 hour board approved course that details out facial anatomy and the exact techniques of using botox and the available market forms of it.

More recently, the Massachusetts Board of Dentistry approved dentists who have had practical training in cosmetic injection treatments to administer botox and fillers for cosmetic purposes.

It is evident that rules are different between states, and it is always worthwhile checking whether it is okay as a dentist to inject botox in patients. Treatments of botox for cosmetic reasons seem to becoming more accepted for cosmetic purposes by dentists lately.

The controversy

There is a lot of discussion ongoing as to whether dentists should in fact be allowed to inject botox injections for cosmetic purposes. There are those who feel that dentists do not have the same level of knowledge of facial anatomy as plastic surgeons have, and talk is happening on medical forums about this topic. The board in the state has some stipulations that agree with this assessment, and say only dentistry related botox treatments should be approved for dentists.

Dentists, on the other hand, have a different opinion, they say that their understanding of maxillofacial and facial anatomy is highly advanced, making them qualified to administer botox, as much or more so than some doctors. It would appear that this argument will continue on for years to come.

Summary

As more people are in the market for this type of procedure, the medical field is looking for new ways to meet the needs of patients who would like botox injections. The restrictions by state boards for delivering botox are being updated all the time, and dentists are now being sought out to perform the injections.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment