Use of Dermal Fillers Remains Outside the Scope of Practice of Dentists

Dentists are reminded that performing ANY procedure outside their scope of practice is illegal and not covered by malpractice insurance.

Currently, the administration of dermal fillers is not part of the scope of practice of general dentists in B.C. The CDSBC Board formed a working group of oral surgeons knowledgeable in the area of dermal fillers to research the issues surrounding the use of dermal fillers by dentists. The Board accepted the group’s recommendation that dermal fillers are technically challenging and carry a significant enough risk of adverse effects to not be included in the scope of practice of general dentists at this time.

The Board acknowledged that dentists could potentially attain the competencies required to safely administer dermal fillers, but decided that until the education and experience required for competent administration could be established, dermal fillers remain outside the scope of practice of dentists. The only exception to this rule is for dentists who have had training in the use of dermal fillers as part of an accredited specialty program and have received approval from CDSBC.

The dermal filler working group will conduct further investigation into what would be required to safely administer dermal fillers and report back to the Board for further consideration when that work is complete. The Board requested that general dentists be added to the working group to ensure a balanced perspective, so three general dentists will be appointed to the working group.

In addition, another group is being struck to consider this issue at the national level. As soon as further investigations have been carried out, CDSBC will update the profession. Dentists are reminded that performing ANY procedure outside their scope of practice is illegal and not covered by malpractice insurance. This puts both the patient and the dentist at significant risk.

This article was originally printed in the Summer 2011 issue of the Sentinel.