Monday, February 07, 2005

Dentists and Botox Therapy?



Dentists in botox therapy dispute

Dentists have been carrying out botox treatment despite not being properly qualified, cosmetic surgeons say.

The government announced a reform of cosmetic surgery regulation last month amid concerns over patient safety.

At the time beauticians and unqualified doctors were blamed for providing "rogue" services to satisfy the booming demand for the anti-wrinkle therapy.

But BBC News has been told scores of dentists offer the treatment as a sideline for between £150 and £200.

One plastic surgeon, who did not wish to be named, said he knew of a number of dentists who offered the therapy.

He said: "They do it on the side of their private and NHS dentistry work. It is a good way of earning a bit of extra money."

License

Adam Searle, president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, added: "Dentists are carrying out these treatments but are they properly qualified?

"I thought their expertise was in teeth, not cosmetic procedures."

In the UK, botox is a prescription medicine but is not licensed for cosmetic use.

Doctors who do give the injections for lifestyle reasons are personally responsible for any ill-effects although adverse affects, such as swelling or rashes, are rare.

Dentists who undertake botox treatment should be properly trained and ensure that they have appropriate professional indemnity arrangements in place
British Dental Association spokesman

As it remains unlicensed for cosmetic use, there are no exact figures for how many people use it.

However, it is estimated two-thirds of the 50,000 cosmetic procedures each year are non-surgical, such as botox and lip fillers.

Read the remaining article here.

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