Are Dermal Fillers 'Dentistry'?
But I want to bottom out on the original question 'are dermal fillers dentistry'?
My bottom line answer to this question, is quite simply 'NO'.
In short, dentistry is a field of medicine that is concerned primarily with the prevention and treatment of oral disease, including diseases of the teeth, gums and soft tissues of the mouth.
More broadly, dentistry encompasses the regions of the head and neck, and takes into account the general health of the patient as a whole; not simply the mouth, teeth and gums.
The term 'Dentistry' does not incorporate the practice of facial aesthetic procedures.
However, I do believe that dentists are some of the most appropriate healthcare providers to carry out facial aesthetic treatments.
Because of the nature of the dentist's work, they are highly trained and skilled and have an expert knowledge of the head and neck anatomy which is crucial to provide safe and effective aesthetic treatments.
Dentists are medically trained and knowledgeable about general health problems that could be contraindicated for toxin or fillers.
With a rising demand for aesthetic 'perfection' it seems like there has been a surge of aesthetic 'practitioners' popping up in beauty salons and high streets across the UK, all willing to offer non-surgical treatments to fulfil our desire to continue to look and feel good as we age.
The demand has not gone unnoticed by the Dentists either, and more and more practices are seeking to offer non-surgical aesthetic treatments to their patients too.
I was interested to read an article in the Dental Update journal recently, 'Are Dermal Fillers Dentistry' which posed a question about the unregulated facial aesthetic industry and whether or not dentists (as regulated healthcare professionals) should be offering aesthetic treatments within the practice.
I was pleased to read that the author supports the provision of facial aesthetic treatments in the dental care setting when provided by appropriately trained practitioners.
Furthermore, dentists maintain excellent standards of cross-infection control and are trained to manage medical emergencies and complications that may arise following your treatment.
Although not a requirement of aesthetic training, dentists have a duty to complete Continuous Professional Development and are conscientious about life-long learning to ensure excellent patient care (which means that your dentist is likely to do more than just a day-long course before they inject your face!).
Plus dentists are able to prescribe Prescription Only Medicines, like Botulinum Toxin, from registered pharmacies, ensuring your injectables are traced to a reputable source and not black-market!
Last but not least, dentists must be registered with the General Dental Council (the regulatory body) and must be insured/indemnified for the work that they carry out. Meaning that you, as the patient, are protected in the unfortunate event that something goes wrong.
In summary, I conclude that dermal fillers are not the practise of dentistry. However I do believe that following facial aesthetic training, dentists are some of the most appropriate healthcare professionals to trust to carry out your non-surgical treatments both in and out of the dental clinic setting.
Jan 5
Written by Kirsty Broder
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