Dentists Doing Botox? Jacksonville Plastic Surgeons Weigh In.

Jacksonville's Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery urges patients to think twice about getting these and other procedures from anyone other than board-certified plastic surgeons and licensed aestheticians.

"Some would argue that because they work with the facial anatomy, dentists are uniquely qualified to offer cosmetic procedures like Botox," Jacksonville's Dr. Phillip Garcia of Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery says. "Regardless, such procedures are outside the realm of a dental degree. Plus, few dentists have hospital admittance privileges in the case of an emergency."

He and other board certified plastic surgeons aren't alone in their concerns about dentists, beauticians and others offering cosmetic procedures. Dentists are split on the issue, research shows. However in one recent study by The Wealthy Dentist, dentists themselves delivered multiple comments that support leaving Botox and other facial cosmetic procedures to those whose training focuses on it.

* "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)
* "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 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 (i.e., oral & maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, ENT, and dermatologists) do that type of procedures, and as dentists, let's focus on dentistry." (North Carolina dentist)

If you're considering a facial procedure like Botox, Jacksonville and other markets nationwide undoubtedly offer no shortage of options, from plastic surgery firms to dermatologists to hair stylists to dentists. But the safest choice always will be those whose training focuses on facial cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. For more information, contact Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery at 904-247-8522.







As double Board Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Dr. Phillip and Roberto Garcia of Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery and Reviva Medical Spa are specialists in plastic reconstructive and cosmetic surgery for aging face procedures, rhinoplasty (nasal surgery), and eyelid plastic surgery.