The DENTIST’S
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Getting injectables done at the dentist is becoming the norm as dental clinics increasingly move into the wellness and aesthetics sector.
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isits to the dentist have certainly changed a lot in the past few years. While it used to be a dreaded semi-annual appointment for most, often associated with discomfort and horrible sounds of drills, today’s dental clinics are more akin to a wellness destination. Long gone are fluorescent lights and blank, white walls, and here to stay are inviting spaces with calming music and, in the case of dental studios, such as Mint*d, a refreshing drinks menu upon arrival. But it’s not just the look of dental clinics that has changed, it’s also the treatment offering with aesthetics treatments such as teeth whitening and cosmetic injectables on the rise. Clients don’t just want their cavities filled, they want to achieve a perfect smile, which often includes a bit of muscle-relaxant to improve gummy smiles and filler for a bigger pout. New dental clinics, such as Cosmodontics in Sydney, attract clients with a modern look and wide treatment offering including veneers, teeth whitening, and cosmetic injections. “We look at your facial structure and overall aesthetics to form an incredibly personalised treatment plan,” it says on their homepage. 84 | SPA+CLINIC
Cosmetic vs Dentist Injector In Australia, ”only authorised registered health practitioners can prescribe schedule 4 drugs. Medical practitioners, dentists and nurse practitioners are authorised prescribers,” according to an AHPRA spokesperson. So is there a difference in qualifications between a cosmetic injector and a dentist injector? AHPRA says “both the Dental Board of Australia (the DBA) and Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) expect that when using botulinum toxin or dermal fillers, health practitioners practise in accordance with their respective regulatory standards, codes and guidelines. This includes performing only those procedures for which they have been educated and trained and are competent, and importantly adhering to the relevant state and territory drugs and poison legislation.” We spoke to Dental Cosmetic Surgeon Dr Yvonne King to learn more about the kind of training dentists go through when going into cosmetic injecting.