Dentist License Revoked for Administering Botox

Helaine Smith, a well known Massachusetts cosmetic dentist, lecturer and author who has been practicing for ~ 20yrs, was disciplined and got her license revoked for unauthorized use and administration of Botox (Botulinum toxin).

Apparently, in an article written in The Boston Globe about the increased demand for Botox treatments, she told the paper she has been using them for quite some time. This piece of information caught the attention of the state's Board of Registration of Dentistry and they later launched an investigation. The investigation revealed the unauthorized administration of Botox to patients as well as other violations including; failure to conduct weekly  tests for sterilization, failure to correctly store dental instruments, administering sedation without a permit, etc.
According to the law, general dentists are not allowed to administer Botox to patients, this can only be done by a certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who has been trained in the use of Botox and dermal fillers and can only be used for the treatment of disease, disfigurement and dysfuntion.

The punishment is pretty harsh but it reminds us that we should keep abreast of state and federal law and regulatory changes as well good practice management.

See full article here and here.

Yikes!