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Why Should Dental Hygienists Not Be Allowed to Perform Therapeutic Botox?

I am a registered dental hygienist in CA. Hygienists are trained and fully licensed in local anesthesia in the mouth, have extensive knowledge and training in head and neck anatomy and have taken the exact same science pre-requisites as RN's.

We already have the skill of giving injections regularly and performing many non surgical treatments such as soft tissue laser etc.With proper training and supervision by a licensed dentist why should hygienists be restricted? What exactly do the laws say?

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by Kerry RDH in Oakland, CA

Doctor Answers (9)
Community Comments (5)

Laws governing who can inject Botox

Laws are created state by state as to who can inject medicines. One state may allow non licensed individuals and others may only allow MDs PAs and NP / RNs. Same with the operation of lasers. It is important to check with each state as to the laws and have them explain their rules.

Why can't a dental hygienist inject botox

Okay, I do laser procedures and local anesthetic injections and I do not think that unless I went to dental hygiene school, I would be qualified to do the things you do. Botox injections should not be done by technicians but by fully trained medical professionals. In my practice, I do all of my own facial Botox injections. I don't even delegate it to an RN. It's not as easy as it looks. Same goes for filler. more

Why a dental hygienist is not allowed to inject Botox

The standards set up by the Medical Board of California are made to ensure patient safety and the law states that medical doctors, nurses and physician assistants are allowed to inject Botox. While I have several very well qualified registered nurses who work for me I prefer to do each and every Botox injection myself. As a surgeon and artist I feel personally responsible for the happiness of all of my patients and I am able to ensure that through my many years of experience and expertise. I... more

Michael Elam, MD

87 reviews

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

michaelelammd.com

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The issue is patient safety and you are qualified to work as a hygienist

The medical board's duty is to protect the patients. At this time the Botox injection can be done by trained physicians or under their supervision. If your dentist decides to go back to medical school and do extra training,and you go back to school to become a nurse, then you can start injecting under your doctors supervision.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Why Can't Dental Hygenists Perform Botox Injections?

Hi RDH. The laws in the state of California are set up so that only certain medical licensees are allowed to provide Botox. The reason for this is patient safety. Botox is a very safe drug, but just like any drug, can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Only RNs, NPs, PAs and MDs are allowed to inject the drug and if an NP, PA and RN is not directly supervised, they can only inject when a standardized procedure is in place. We hear from estheticians almost... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

4 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Only MD's or their designees can inject Botox in California

In California, only MD's or their designees like RN's, PA's, who operate under an established protocol for the given physician who's licence they are practicing under, are allowed to perform Botox Injections.

The Law In California: Only Physicians May Perform or Supervise Botox Injections

In California, the practice of medicine is governed by the Medical Board of California. The Medical Board states unequivocally that "physicians may inject Botox, or they may direct registered nurse, licensed vocational nurses, or physician assistants to perform the injection under their supervision. No unlicensed persons, such as medical assistants, may inject Botox." The Medical Board also states that "Physicians may use lasers or intense pulsed light devices. In... more

Hard to Believe This Question is Being Asked

With this type of logic why not allow barbers to inject Botox or better yet why not allow barbers clean teeth after they finish your hair cut.

You clinical and anatomic knowledge is not as broad as you think.

I think the issue here is professional envy and arrogance. Sure, as a dental hygienist you are highly trained for the tasks you perform. You might be a very capable individual and perhaps in other circumstances perhaps you might have gone to medical or nursing school. However, you choose a career in dentistry as a dental hygienist. In California, only a handful of general dentists are qualified to inject BOTOX cosmetically. So why do you think that you should be... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

9 reviews

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

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Comments (5)

BekahPhelps
2 months ago

Dental Hygienists actually take about 3 more college credit hours by the time they graduate than nurses. They finish with either a Bachelor's degree or associate's degree - depending on the accreditation of the school. They are trained and specialized in their field of study - head and neck (oral cavity). This is where they administer local anesthesia. And "supervision" means the dentist is in the office, not hovering over. In many cases, the RDH administers anesthesia for the Dentist. Administering BOTOX should be left to medical professionals. Which a RDH is. It's actually not that difficult to administer an injection to any part of the body. A bum on the side of the street could do it after a day long course. Know your anatomical landmarks - and you're good. I understand we should look out for the best interest of the patients by only allowing health care professionals to give botox injections. Your statement then is - so why can't a head/neck health care professional be licensed? Im sorry Harold and all you other "supposedly intelligent doctors" - but maybe you should learn more about the realm of medical professionals before you include Registered Dental Hygienists as an "easy to acquire" degree or a technician. You're making yourself look ignorant, and it is kind of embarrassing on your behalf.

bossphio
2 months ago

I do have to comment. The dental hygiene program is very intense and very similar to that of the RN program. However, as a dental hygienist we specialize in the area of the face and neck during our study. I don't agree or disagree with any of the comments really. I would just like to point out that in order for myself to keep my license as a dental hygienist in the state of Indiana, I have to do so many hours of continuing education every two years. I am friends with several nurses and none of them have to do that. I'm sure doing the botox injections require a lot of knowledge, but if an RN is capable I don't see why a hygienist wouldn't be. We are professionals with a license to maintain as well.

SandraG
9 months ago

The arrogance shown in the response to a legitimate question is appalling. Before you mount an attack on a reader, you should educate yourselves as to the rigorous academic requirements mandated for most hygienists, in most states. You may be confusing our profession with that of dental assistants, which would be similar to comparing a nurse'said to a registered nurse.
Dental hygienists are in the very same anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, etc. classes as the nursing students...at least we are in the state in which I live.
Before denigrating another profession while displaying your own arrogance ( while accusing others of it ) you might think about who you are choosing to intentionally offend; we see and treat thousands of patients a year and are often asked for referrals to other specialists...you can be assured we don't refer to people as disrespectful towards others as many of you have been shown to be here.

storagesw8
5 months ago

SandraG - well said. I am also stunned by the arrogance, disrespect .... and pure stupidity by some of the responses here ... from 'professionals'.

Victoria Oklahoma
3 months ago

Well said by both. I'm not surprised by the "God" complex of some of these Doctors. We all know that is boils down to money and greed, They simply want it all!!

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