Back to All NewsNew Bill Would Allow Cosmetic Injections by Dentists in Arizona
Posted By American Med Spa Association, Friday, January 10, 2020
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A new bill introduced in Arizona for the 2020 session would allow dentists to inject botulinum toxin and dermal fillers. House Bill 2134 (HB 2134) is cosponsored by Senator Nancy Barto and Representative Regina Cobb. It is prefiled in advance of the 2020 session and awaits assignment to a committee for further discussion. You can review the text of the bill in full here.
HB 2134 would bring a substantial expansion of the dentist scope of practice. Currently, dentists in Arizona are able to treat issues that occur with teeth, gums, lips, cheeks, jaws, oral cavities and associated tissues. As the law is now written, there is no explicit authorization for dentists to perform cosmetic injections to the face. HB 2134 would expand the scope of practice in two ways: The term “associated tissues” would include tissues of the oral maxillofacial complex, and “administering botulinum toxin and dermal fillers” would be added to specific treatments. Together, these would allow dentists to treat the entire face and provide cosmetic injection treatments.
State to state, the dentist’s scope of practice varies significantly in the use of botulinum toxin. Many states allow dentists to us botulinum toxin to treat temporomandibular joint issues. Some states permit cosmetic botulinum toxin and filler injections of the lips and mouth, but not the eyes or forehead. There is a definite national trend toward allowing cosmetic injections for dentists; if passed, HB 2134 would be right in line with that trend.
We will be monitoring HB 2134 as it works its way through Arizona’s legislative process this year. If you have questions or comments about this proposed legislation, the sponsors can be reached through their legislative web pages, linked above.
HB 2134 would bring a substantial expansion of the dentist scope of practice. Currently, dentists in Arizona are able to treat issues that occur with teeth, gums, lips, cheeks, jaws, oral cavities and associated tissues. As the law is now written, there is no explicit authorization for dentists to perform cosmetic injections to the face. HB 2134 would expand the scope of practice in two ways: The term “associated tissues” would include tissues of the oral maxillofacial complex, and “administering botulinum toxin and dermal fillers” would be added to specific treatments. Together, these would allow dentists to treat the entire face and provide cosmetic injection treatments.
State to state, the dentist’s scope of practice varies significantly in the use of botulinum toxin. Many states allow dentists to us botulinum toxin to treat temporomandibular joint issues. Some states permit cosmetic botulinum toxin and filler injections of the lips and mouth, but not the eyes or forehead. There is a definite national trend toward allowing cosmetic injections for dentists; if passed, HB 2134 would be right in line with that trend.
We will be monitoring HB 2134 as it works its way through Arizona’s legislative process this year. If you have questions or comments about this proposed legislation, the sponsors can be reached through their legislative web pages, linked above.
