dental botox

Dental Marketing: Cosmetic Injectables, A Smart Economic Move for Dentists?

September 6, 2011 By Catherine Hughes 4 Comments

Dentists offering injectables Depending on the dentist surveyed, the use of injectables in the dental office is either not a part of general dentistry, a smart economic move, or something dentists can do very well.

To dentists who support offering injectables as part of their dental marketing, they see it merely as a natural extension of the cosmetic treatments that they already provide. To dentists who dislike the idea, injectables are just an invitation to a malpractice lawsuit.

One thing is for sure: Injectables have become one of the most popular cosmetic medical procedures in the United States. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of non-surgical cosmetic treatments, such as injectables, has jumped 228% since 1997.

Who will fill the demand?

The Wealthy Dentist conducted a survey asking dentists if they have started administering injectable treatments such as BOTOX® and Dermal fillers for cosmetic reasons. 85% of the dentists surveyed responded, “No!” for a variety of reasons.

Here is what they had to say -

Not a part of dentistry…

“These procedures should not be done by a dentist.” (Indiana dentist)

“They’re cheesy and unprofessional!” (California prosthodontist)

“They’re not dental procedures. I don’t care if some dentists want to do them. I know one who does them and he says women can get their husbands to pay these bills from the dentist, but would be more scrutinizing about bills from a plastic surgeon.” (Illinois dentist)

“It’s not part of dentistry.” (California dentist)

A smart economic move …

“I think I will get myself trained to be able to expand my cosmetic dentistry packages.” (General dentist)

“Patients pay up front for a quick procedure with no insurance paperwork. What’s not to like?” (Florida dentist)

“A great way to see patients several times a year since these patients need regular touch-ups. It can be added to a treatment package with routine dental cleanings.” (Arizona dentist)

Something dentists can do very well…

“Of course! This is something we as dentists could do very well. However, in California the oral surgeons seem to have cornered the market, so to speak…keeping the generalists out.” (California dentist)

“Dentists give more injections than any other healthcare professional, so why not?” (Nebraska dentist)

“Who’s more qualified than a dentist that is already injecting patients needing fillings, or more extensive work every single day?” (West Virginia dentist)

Just an invitation to a malpractice lawsuit …

“I don’t believe extra oral injectables are within the scope of my dental license. I believe it verges on malpractice.” (Nevada dentist)

“The liability is too high; I’d rather leave it to MD’s with higher coverage.” (Texas dentist)

“I’m not sure about the complications with state and the malpractice issues with injectables.” (California orthodontist)

What are your thoughts on dentists offering injectables?

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Filed Under: Dental Surveys, The Wealthy Dentist Tagged With: cosmetic dentistry, dental botox, dental marketing, dental practice, dental survey, dentist, dentistry, dentists, injectables

Dentist Botox Treatment OK by Most Dentists

July 27, 2010 By Julie Frey 9 Comments

Botox is big business – and dentists think it’s appropriate for them to be a part of it. Two out of three dentists don’t have a problem with a dentist offering cosmetic Botox, Restylane or other dermal fillers, this survey found.

“Who on the face of this planet gives more injections and has more training in head and neck anatomy than dentists?” asked one dentist. “No one!”

In this survey of 144 dentists…

62% see no problem with dentists offering Botox and dermal fillers
7% think dentists should only offer Botox for therapeutic reasons.
31% think this is not an appropriate role for dentists.

Here are some comments on Botox, Restlyane and dermal fillers from dentists:

“Fantastic idea! The AGD just passed a resolution supporting general dentists in education and performing these procedures.” (General dentist)
“Botox as an additional treatment to correct gummy smiles. Restylane to fill the fissures and wrinkles of the lips to perfect a cosmetic anterior dental prosthetic reconstruction” (Kuwait cosmetic dentist)
“Dentists, with the extensive head and neck training they have, should probably have been the first to administer Botox and fillers. Factor in the reality that most dentists are fairly artistic and without question perfectionists, they absolutely should be administering Botox and fillers.” (Minnesota dentist)
“For TMJ treatment if indicated.” (Prosthodontist)
“I am doing Botox now for my family, staff and a few select patients. I do dermal fillers for my wife. I practice in the state of Texas and I can’t get our dental board to ‘allow’ us to do these procedures. Insurance companies will cover me but for only what our dental board will allow.” (Texas dentist)
“In Texas, basically only an Oral Surgeon can do it—so let them take the risk and use this as a referral.” (Texas pediatric dentist)
“Why not go to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon for veneers or high tech mouthguards??” (Florida oral surgeon)
“Let’s have our physician friends extract teeth and place dental implants. This is a ‘busyness’ issue.” (Periodontist)

Filed Under: Dental Surveys Tagged With: botox, cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic surgery, dental botox, dentist, restylane

Dental Marketing Targets: Sleep Apnea, TMJ & Botox Patients

June 1, 2010 By Julie Frey 1 Comment

Who do dentists target with their dental marketing? This survey found sleep apnea and TMJ/TMD patients were each targeted by half of responding dentists.

When it comes to the new cosmetic dentistry, we found that 5% of dentists offer cosmetic Botox, 11% offer therapeutic Botox treatment for TMJ treatment, and 14% offer Restylane or other dermal fillers.

"I do this very carefully because of the turf battles for Botox and Fillers. I market quietly and professionally in all areas by using education in the ads. Patients have a sense of entitlement, but in a heartbeat will pay cash for Botox… The Botox and fillers helps subsidize the practice to practice," said one dentist. "I love providing this service too. No stress, reversible, pts love it and ask for it and pay in full the day of service."

Filed Under: Dental Marketing, Dental Surveys Tagged With: botox, dental botox, dental marketing, headache, migraine, sleep apnea, TMD, TMJ

Dental Botox Growing in Popularity

April 18, 2010 By Julie Frey 7 Comments

Dental Botox is a growing business, with 16% of dentists offering the cosmetic treatment to their dental patients.

While lots of aesthetic patients are eager to get treatments like Botox cosmetic dentistry, Restylane and other dermal fillers, not every dentist is comfortable offering such cosmetic treatments. "It's not in the field of dentistry," declared one periodontist.

But some are embracing the new direction for cosmetic dentistry. “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," said one dentist. "Facial aesthetics is a nice complement to a cosmetic dentist's practice."