Dentists and Botox
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dentists & Botox to our blog
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Botox cosmetic dentistry press release
Botox
is big business these days, and more and more dentists are getting in on the
action. In our most recent survey, 16% of dentists said they are already
offering Botox to their dental patients; 27% said they would if regulations
permitted; 37% said they might offer it someday; and 20% said they never would.
"I'm a dentist, not a plastic surgeon!" scoffed one respondent.
The most significant difference between general dentists and specialists was in how many are currently offering Botox to their patients.
Twice as many GPs (17%) report that they offer Botox as did specialists (9%).
Urban dentists are twice as likely as rural dentists to offer Botox - 10% of rural dentists versus 19% of urban practitioners.
Rural dentists were also more likely than their urban or suburban counterparts to declare that they would never offer such a service.
Over three times as many male dentists as female dentists responding to this survey offer Botox - 20% of men, compared to only 6% of women.
Patients want it
- "I have patients asking for Botox treatments. They think all dentists perform this service and would like me to start offering it in my office." (California dentist)
Confusion about laws and regulations
- "I didn't think it was legal for a dentist to practice this type of medicine." (California orthodontist)
- "I would consider it if regulations did not specifically preclude the procedure." (Tennessee dentist)
- "What are the regulations for use? How can we become providers?" (California dentist)
Botox is not for dentists
- "I think we are too busy to take on the additional liability of these procedures." (New Jersey dentist)
- "I'm a dentist - not a plastic surgeon." (Virginia dentist)
- "It's not in the field of dentistry." (California periodontist)
- "It's way beyond our scope of treatment. It is bad enough that Plastic Surgeons do this sort of thing." (Utah dentist)
Botox has been great for my dental practice
- "I have an R.N. who comes into my office and offers a full range of cosmetic and laser procedures for my patients. She has also introduced some of her long-time patients to my practice. Facial aesthetics is a nice complement to a cosmetic dental practice." (California dentist)
Botox is great for TMJ pain
- "It's great for reducing damage to prostheses when used on masseter muscle for bruxers. Of course, frown lines and crows' feet are the other indications..." (Malaysia prosthodontist)
- "I only inject Botox for pain management. Dentists are the only practitioners qualified to inject the face and mouth for pain management. The big issue is getting a license board to understand that the entire head and neck, peripheral nerves and muscles, are integrated to the trigeminal system." (Massachusetts pain management dentist)
How much training should one have?
- "I believe more than a day course should be recommended." (Florida dentist)
- "I would practice Botox in my clinic as long as a proper training regarding the matter is available." (Philippines TMJ dentist)
- "I have taken a dermal filler course. I would like to take an additional course and a Botox course, and then I would like to provide these services in my practice." (Florida dentist)
Dentists and facial injections are a great combo
- "I think anyone professionally trained to give subcutaneous injections should be able to administer Botox within a licensed medical/dental practice." (Michigan dentist)
- "No one is better qualified to place Botox or Restylane than a dentist due to understanding facial symmetry issues. Bar none!" (Nevada dentist)
Dentists and Botox are not meant to be
- "Since when was Botox or Restylane injections for facial/head/neck esthetics considered dentistry? I've never seen it taught or discussed in any dental textbooks or journals. It certainly is not in the definition of dentistry that the Ohio (or probably any other state) Dental Board considers in the realm of dentistry and covered by a dental license. I know some dentists are offering this service, but I have also heard from some that once patients request it around their lips, they many want you to do it elsewhere eventually! Where does it stop? I think dentists performing this service is ridiculous." (Ohio prosthodontist)
Note: Survey sample included 126 respondents.
