Dentists Want to Offer Botox...
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In this poll, we asked dentists if they think cosmetic dentists should be offering non-dental cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections. Of our dentist respondents, 57% felt dentists are licensed medical professionals, fully capable of safely offering such simple services. The other 43% think dentists ought to focus on healthy teeth and gums, not Botox or Restylane.
Read the dentists' comments for more insight.
General dentists were significantly more open to the idea of dentists offering cosmetic treatments such as Botox than were specialists.
Geographic location was not particularly correlated with results.
Female dentists were slightly more opposed to dentists offering Botox than their male colleagues.
For more insight into what our respondents are thinking, check out their comments!
It's a matter of training
- "Only if they receive the training to handle all aspects of these procedures." (Louisiana oral surgeon)
- "For a dentist like myself, I feel it is not within the scope of our training. I think those with real, hospital-based experience and training (like that oral surgeons receive through their residency) should be allowed to do cosmetic procedures." (New York dentist)
- "GPs like myself will need some kind of training before doing Botox. Oral surgeons are more qualified to do it." (California dentist)
- "I would consider it if the ADA/MDA felt it was within the realm of our dental degree. We give injections for anesthesia; there is no reason we can't take courses to train us to give Botox injections properly and safely." (Michigan dentist)
Dentists are uniquely qualified
- "Dentists are much more knowledgeable about facial features and anatomy than most of these 'boutiques' that offer Botox. With all the demand for cosmetic dentistry, offering Botox for our patients would be nice." (California dentist)
- "Who is more focused on the perioral area than dentists. I think we are very qualified and wouldn't it be fun to offer a service that so many people want so badly!" (Kentucky dentist)
Consider all the risks...
- "Dentists that offer it are crazy! In a lawsuit, not uncommon with cosmetic procedures, the first point a plaintiff's lawyer would make is that the dentist wasn't a trained plastic surgeon." (Florida dentist)
- "I think they are taking a great risk. We are not trained dermatologists. The real measure of our treatment is how we can manage the emergencies and possible failures." (Arizona dentist)
Botox is bad for dentistry
- "I would not offer Botox injections. Dentists that do epitomize the the 'money whores' of dentistry." (Texas dentist)
- "I think that by doing procedures we have not had adequate training in, we are weakening our profession. I graduated from a well-respected dental school, completed a rigorous GPR, and at no time received training in any cosmetic facial procedures. Our organization fights tooth & nail against giving dental hygienists more autonomy using the argument that they are not adequately trained. How can we justify procedures that we have not been trained to do? Let those with training (ie, oral & maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, ENT, and dermatologists) do that type of procedures, and as dentists, let's focus on dentistry." (North Carolina dentist)
Enthusiastic about the possibilities of Botox
"I want to do Botox. I don't why we have not started earlier. Who better to give injections than a dentist? We do it all day long. We have great touch. It is a great add on service to all the cosmetics we do!" (Indiana dentist)
Staying competitive
- "In my area, many dentists are already offering these services, so if you don't offer them, it is difficult to compete. As for being qualified, most MDs who offer these services are general practitioners who are much less familiar with injections in the head and neck area than dentists." (California dentist)
- "Yes, I would offer Botox injections. I think that dentists who do are keeping pace with the needs of patients." (New York dentist)
Botox is not dentistry
- "No, I wouldn't. I hope we don't start having to do colonoscopies!" (Illinois orthodontist)
- "In Indiana it is considered outside the field of dentistry." (Indiana dentist)
- "It isn't dentistry... just because we're qualified to give injections and these cosmetic injections are within inches of the mouth does not mean that the procedure(s) should be done by dentists." (Illinois dentist)
- "It's moving away from our core services... it's almost like doing tongue piercings: why not have someone qualified do it?" (Washington dentist)
- "Malpractice!" (Utah dentist)
- "Practicing outside the scope of their license." (Illinois dentist)
- "It's none of their business." (Florida dental hygienist)
- "Other than OMS practitioners, Botox injections for facial esthetics is beyond the realm of the training we received and the reasonable scope of of treatment of the oral cavity." (Washington orthodontist)
The future of (cosmetic) dentistry
- "With proper certification, I would support this. Oral surgeons are doing it, and we certainly have the training and intelligence to include this procedure with additional training in this product and its indications, techniques, and contraindications." (Florida dentist)
- "Dentists have traditionally been their own worst enemies. We as dentists must start realizing that we are physicians of the oral cavity and as such should stop focusing on teeth and gums and remember that what we do effects the entire body. I applaud our progressive thinking colleagues." (New Jersey dentist)
- "Require them to get teeth cleaned or dental work, not only Botox. If it would get people in for dental work, that would be good for both dentist and patient." (Maryland dental patient)
Who else would you have offer Botox?
- "Who else would be more qualified?" (Florida dentist)
- "Dentists who do are just doing what is within their realm." (Massachusetts dentist)
- "They have Suzie, the high schooler doing it at my dermatologist's office..." (Indiana dentist)
- "With a specific certification, I believe there is no one better to give the injections. Who else gives more injections than we do? It is a turf and $$ issue that MDs do not want anyone else to get involved with. This is a perfect addition to our General Practice. We should feel proud of our excellent education and experience. What a great service for our patients too." (Minnesota dentist)
Offering Botox and proud of it
- "I offer Botox to selected myofacial pain patients." (Florida orthodontist)
- "My partner offers Botox." (Massachusetts dentist)
- "I would offer Botox. My wife wants it." (Illinois dentist)
- "I have taken a medical course already." (Florida endodontist)
