The Michigan Board of Dentistry has released a statement regarding the use of Botox and dermal fillers in dentistry.
According to the statement, the board has affirmed the need for proper training in these procedures, as well as dentists' abilities to "treat those areas of the face that are reasonably identified as dependent tissue of the teeth." This includes the oral and maxillofacial areas where Botox and dermal procedures are routinely done for dental aesthetic and dental therapeutic purposes within the scope of the practice of dentistry.
"The bottom line is that Botox and dermal fillers are allowed within the Michigan scope of dental practice for use by general dentists for dental aesthetic and dental therapeutic uses with comprehensive training. We applaud the board members of the Michigan Board of Dentistry for affirming the need for proper training for dentists who are going to use Botox and dermal fillers in their practice," Louis Malcmacher, DDS, president of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE), in a press release.
It is important to note that this is only a statement by the board and not an administrative rule, Dr. Malcmacher added.
"With Botox and/or dermal fillers education in the oral and maxillofacial areas being taught at nearly 50 dental university and dental society continuing education programs for general dentists in the last four years, it is clear that the board's statement concerning not allowing injections for cosmetic purposes only relates to those cosmetic procedures outside the oral and maxillofacial areas which are outside the scope of dentistry," he stated.
The AAFE has been conducting a two-day, live-patient, hands-on Botox and dermal filler training for dentistry course in Michigan for the last few years, according to Dr. Malcmacher. The next course will take place April 27-28 in Detroit.
