Botox Injections

Dental Protection Ltd (DPL) has received a number of enquiries from dentists who wish to carry out Botox treatments, involving the hypodermic injection of botulinium toxin in solution.

The aim of this elective procedure is to achieve a temporary change in a patient's facial appearance, in the absence of any pathological condition requiring treatment.

Any judgement of the potential risk of a given procedure involves an assessment of the profile of the patients likely to be presenting themselves for such treatment, as well as the risks inherent in the procedure itself, the possible remedies available to the patient if things go wrong, and the scale of any potential consequences.

A further consideration is that dental membership of the Medical Protection Society, provided through DPL, necessarily relates to the practice of dentistry, and procedures and activities generally accepted as being such.

In the light of this assessment, DPL can indemnify its dental members for the administration of Botox in the immediate perioral area (including the naso-labial folds) , and this can be extended to include procedures undertaken in and around the forehead, around the eyes, or in the glabella region.

Until the actuarial experience can be determined with greater certainty, members wishing to obtain indemnity for these procedures will be asked to confirm in writing the extent of their involvement in these procedures and to provide details of the training undertaken in order to carry out the procedures safely.

For the use of botox in the immediate perioral area and/or nasolabial folds, the relevant total subscription for the year commencing 1 April 2009 (membership grade DC1) is £4,630.

For the use of botox elsewhere in the face, the relevant total subscription for the year commencing 1 April 2009 (membership grade DC2) is £6,180.

Medically qualified MPS members in general dental practice can apply for indemnity for Botox procedures (in all areas of the face) within their full-time membership category, or at the higher medical GP cosmetic rate which also includes cover for certain specified additional cosmetic/aesthetic procedures.

These additional subscriptions reflect Dental Protection's view is that it would be unreasonable for subscription rates generally, for all members, to have to reflect the potential risk of these techniques in areas that do not amount to the practise of dentistry.

The situation will be reviewed on an on-going basis and further statements will be made in due course as appropriate.

For further information contact:
Membership Services: 08457 187 187

Last updated 8 June 2009