5 things dental professionals need to know to choose the right course on facial injectables

July 10, 2013
Dr. Bruce Freund details five fundamental rules to follow that will help you choose the best instruction available in the area of facial injectables. There is much to learn and with the right instruction and support, cosmetic facial injectables can become a viable and profitable part of your dental practice.

This is an exciting time for dentists. For those dental professionals who like to stay on the edge, you may already be providing the newest in dental services to your patients – cosmetic facial injectables – neurotoxins and facial fillers.

RELATED |Stop Saying No!

Neurotoxins are commonly known by the names Botox, Dysport (depending on the manufacturer, Allergan or Medicis), and the newest competitor, Xeomin (from Merz). They are used to relax the muscles that can cause the lines that tend to make you look stressed, tired, or older than you actually are.

VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH DR. FREUND

The most common facial fillers are Restylane, Perlane, Juvéderm, Belotero, and Radiesse. The first four are hylauronic acid-based gels, while Radiesse is a calcium-based gel, but they are all used for the same purpose, which is to make you look more youthful. These products, as opposed to the neurotoxins, replace lost volume and fill in lines and folds to give the skin a smoother, younger appearance.

Now, as a health-care professional, how do you know which course to take that will give you the best instruction in how to provide this valuable service to your patients? Here are some fundamental rules to follow in choosing a course, seminar, and instructor:

  • What are the instructor’s qualifications?
  • Does the advertised instructor actually do the instructing? Too many times a “name” in the dental profession fronts the lecture/hands-on portion, but the actual training is left to instructors whose qualifications are unknown.
  • Do the instructors actually perform these techniques as part of their professional services, or do they just teach the technique but not perform it? In other words, do they practice what they preach? It is important to know because of the practical application to your practice. You may learn how to inject, but you also need to know how to market yourself.
  • Ask for references, but don’t be shy about contacting them. It’s obvious that any testimonials posted will be positive comments. Preferably, ask colleagues what courses they recommend. Every state has different requirements and rulings, so be careful that you check before performing these services.
  • Is there support once you complete the course? What I mean by this is, can you ever reach the instructor with any questions you may have? It is nice to have the feeling that there is someone to guide you through those “firsts” and know that you someone who cares that you become successful. Too often, once you take a course, you are on your own. The American Academy of Facial Cosmetics was formed with the intent to help dentists achieve recognition in the field of facial injectables.

As dentists, we are contenders in a field that has limitless possibilities. Just remember, dentists are highly trained professionals who inject constantly and have knowledge of facial anatomy and facial aesthetics as part of their professional education and part of what they do on a daily basis. They are an excellent choice as a provider of facial injectables. With the right instruction and support, cosmetic facial injectables can become a viable and profitable part of your dental practice.

Bruce G. Freund, DDS, is CEO and co-founder of the American Academy of Facial Cosmetics, which provides training and support to dentists in the field of facial injectables. For more information on the Academy or for upcoming seminars, visit www.aafcinjectables.org.