New regulations in New Jersey that will take effect in December may limit dentists' ability to administer botox injections to their patients, according to a story on NorthJersey.com.
The New Jersey State Board of Dentistry adopted the regulations in March.
Under the guidelines, dentists would only be allowed to administer botox and filler injections to the "perio-oral area and associated tissue," preventing them from providing forehead injections, the article stated. However, the general counsel of the New Jersey Dental Association argued that the term "associated tissue" cannot be clearly defined.
The new regulations would also require the completion of a board-certified 21-hour course while oral surgeons would be exempt, according to the story. Dentists countered that their familiarity with facial muscles and nerves make them sufficiently qualified. Members of the American Academy of Dermatology disagreed, citing potential complications such as severe allergic and neurotoxic reactions, infection, and scarring, the article added.
While the regulations were being considered, the dental board believed that they would be reasonable and did not comment, according to the article.
