Some Dentists Offer Botox, Cosmetic Procedures

COLUMBUS, Ohio—The same person who fills your cavities also could be filling your wrinkles—with Botox.

Some dentists now are offering cosmetic procedures such as Botox.

Dr. Michael Firouzian started offering Botox and other dermal fillers after some of his patients asked about it.

“I found out that it’s something within our scope that we can do. I went down to Florida and did some training, and I had a plastic surgeon come in for a whole week and I trained with him,“ Firouzian said.

Plastic Surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Donaldson said that a week of training can’t compare to years of training required for board certification in plastic surgery.

He said patients should stick with plastic surgeons for any cosmetic procedure.

“From my end, a plastic surgeon has specific training in cosmetic services and reconstructive services. It’s the safest bet to have those procedures done,“ Donaldson said. “Materials like Botox injected into the wrong anatomical area can cause things like eyelids to drop and different facial expressions to disappear.“

Firouzian said he knows and understands the risks.

“As dentists, we are fully trained in knowing all the anatomy and knowing where all the nerves are. This is a service we offer to our own patients with a full understanding that there are certain guidelines we have to abide by,“ Firouzian said.

The Ohio State Dental Board has ruled that treatments, such as Botox, are within the scope of practice for dentists as long as they are limited to the facial areas.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons said Botox falls squarely within the practice of medicine and should only be done by a board-certified plastic surgeon.

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