Last year Ahpra released a news piece that put the ‘booming billion-dollar cosmetic industry on notice with new cosmetic procedure guidelines.^’ Within that document were advanced copies of guidelines relating to non-surgical cosmetic procedures and the advertising of high-risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures. These guidelines came into effect on 2 September 2025.

The first question that any registered dental practitioner should ask themselves is: “Does this apply to me and my practice of dentistry?” 

This is a critical point to begin with as some practitioners might have given this document a cursory glance and concluded that as they don’t provide cosmetic injectables, “there’s nothing to see here for me” however, this is most likely not the case. 

Helpfully, the document starts with a definition of non-surgical cosmetic procedures as ‘procedures undertaken to revise or change the appearance, colour, texture, structure, or position of bodily features with the dominant purpose of achieving what the person perceives to be a more desirable appearance’. 

Relevant to dentistry, it gives the broad example of altering body tissue, “for example teeth”.

I think it is clear that these guidelines have a much broader reach than would be evident with a skim read and it would be reasonable for registered dental practitioners to ask what is included and excluded. 

The answer to that question is easier to give by a process of exclusion – excluded from the guidelines are procedures that HAVE a clinical justification and the examples given include, but are not limited to, the removal of skin tags and skin cancers and treatments for severe acne.

In the dental context, an example of what would be excluded is a clinically indicated correction of a malocclusion or misaligned dentition that could be causing biological or functional adverse side effects for the patient – such as occlusal issues or an inability to properly clean, predisposing them to caries or periodontal disease. 

What might be captured in the guidance is anything purely elective, driven by a patient desire to improve appearance – for example tooth whitening and/or dental veneers for improvement of appearance. 

The document then walks us through how the Boards will use the guidelines, emphasising the overarching functions of the Boards to protect the public and maintain standards. 

Point 1. Recognising potential conflicts of interest. 

A strong message of the Boards is a concern about the commercial nature of the industry and the role that advertising and business models play in creating a demand for services. 

Point 2. Assessment of patient suitability. 

The practitioner should consider the person's history, relevant psychological, social, and cultural aspects, and in particular assess for any condition which may make them an unsuitable candidate for the cosmetic procedure – it gives an example of assessing for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which is a defined psychological condition. 

It is of note that the original document at consultation included the necessity for a BDD assessment to be undertaken, and the actual guidance watered this down to a ‘consideration’. Naturally, for dental practitioners this could only be done by referral to a suitably qualified health professional.

Point 3. Consultation with the person receiving a prescription for cosmetic injectables. 

Practitioners working in this space must know and comply with relevant drugs and poisons legislation of their jurisdiction and there is also very specific guidance on prescribing. 

Point 4. Additional responsibilities if providing cosmetic procedures to persons under the age of 18. 

Practitioners must consider the appropriateness of any cosmetic procedure for a person under the age of 18. 

The Boards consider that botulinum toxin and dermal fillers should not be prescribed for cosmetic purposes for persons under the age of 18. 

Practitioners should be satisfied that the person has the capacity to consent to the procedure, along with having regard for the views of a parent or guardian of the person under 18. 

Of note, the guidance stipulates that there should be a cooling off period of at least seven days between obtaining consent and the procedure being performed, and the person should be encouraged to discuss why they're having the procedure with an appropriate independent registered health practitioner with an existing relationship with the person (such as their GP or a registered mental health practitioner). 

Point 5. Informed consent. 

This is an area where Dental Protection has significant resources – all available at our Online Learning Hub which you can find here. This CPD would count towards your scientific CPD hours.

The Ahpra guidance on informed consent is quite prescriptive – it emphasises the practitioner’s responsibility to ensure an informed decision can be made and it describes the need for a verbal consent discussion as well as written information in plain language. So, written information does need to be provided in language the patient can understand. 

There is also specific information relating to cosmetic injectables. 

Part of the consent section also covers consent for use of images

Point 6. Prescribing and administering Schedule 4 (prescription-only) cosmetic injectables.

This is only relevant for practitioners carrying out those procedures – they need to refer to the specifics in this section. 

Point 7. Management of the person receiving the cosmetic procedure. 

Some of the information around the management of the patient again relates only to cosmetic injectables.

However, it does move on to outline that there must be protocols in place for managing complications and emergencies, written postoperative instructions (with extensive specified information) must be given and the health records must be compliant with the Board’s standard. 

Point 8. Complaints. 

The section on complaints is also quite prescriptive – of note it advises that the registered practitioner must ensure all patients receiving cosmetic procedures ‘are provided with information about the range of complaints mechanisms available to them’ – including local measures and how to make contact with clinic along with providing information about relevant complaint bodies such as Ahpra. 

Any complaint resolution agreement must NOT contain conditions that excludes the patient’s statutory right to make a complaint to the regulator. 

The latter sections (9, 10, 11, 12 and 13) relate to aspects of care that all practitioners following the code of conduct will already be compliant with – such as scope of practice, use of titles, advertising, working in appropriate facilities, and infection control.

Point 14. Financial arrangements. 

Any practitioner who (either directly or indirectly) offers inducements, free (or discounted) procedures for promotion or financing schemes as part of the procedure should read this section carefully to ensure they are not in breach. 

In conclusion, Ahpra is sending strong signals that this is an area of practice that is going to come under increased scrutiny – therefore practitioners should take a deep dive into these documents if this is an area that they work in – remembering the potentially broad scope of the definition. 

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Further learning

In our April edition of risk bites pertaining to Cosmetics in Dentistry, Dr Colm Harney flagged the intention of Ahpra to release new resources and guidelines for registered practitioners undertaking and advertising non-surgical cosmetic procedures. 
 
Well, that time is upon us and as of the 2nd of September 2025 the new guidelines will come into effect. Listen is as Colm steps through the key points of interest, in linear order of appearance in the document, so we would encourage you to grab your copy and follow along. 

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/riskbites-ahpra-s-new-guidance-for-health-practitioners-who-perform-non-surgical-procedures--67297255

References 

1. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Booming billion-dollar cosmetic industry on notice with new cosmetic procedures guidelines
2. Consult the accompanying advertising guidelines and Dental Protection resources on those also. 
3. If you work with cosmetic injectables, review the specific guidance related to those procedures. 
4. Ensure everyone understands their responsibilities for postoperative care and that robust complaint management policies are in place – this is all good practice and common sense for most practitioners anyway. 
5. Understand scope of practice, appropriate use of qualifications and titles, and compliance with drug regulations, where appropriate. 
6. Review and update protocols and internal documents on screening, assessment, consent and cooling off. 
7. Practitioners need to: 
8. As well as links to the documents, Ahpra have also provided a quick guide, outlining dos and don'ts in one page which can be found here Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Performing non-surgical cosmetic procedures 
9. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Cosmetic procedures by dental practitioners are not without risk (ahpra.gov.au)