Could a general dentist do, say, a blepharoplasty?

[Vapor1122]

The prevailing wisdom in dentistry seems to be that GPs can do any procedure a specialist can do, but they should expect to be held to the same standard of care. But taken to its logical conclusion, it's conceivable that some GP out there would start dabbling in cosmetic facial surgeries (not just Botox), given that such procedures are within the scope of OMS.

This, of course, sounds preposterous, but where, then, is that line drawn? Or is there a line? Is the idea of a GP doing an open rhino technically permissible, just never done in reality? Or is there something saying such procedures are off-limits for GPs? And if so, who makes these rules (laws?) regarding who can do what, anyway?

Just something that crossed my mind the other day. I realized I didn't actually know the answer to this, hence this thread.

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[Promethean]

Can they? Like are they physically capable of executing the action? Sure, probably.

May they do so? As in, are there government, insurer, or facility imposed limitations on their practice? Certainly!

State practice acts do limit the scope of practice of professionals, defining who may perform a given procedure, etc. Malpractice and liability insurance will also set limits upon practices which they will insure. And hospitals and surgery centers have defined limits on privileges, so that some providers who may be fully qualified to perform a procedure in another setting may not perform it in a facility in which they have not been granted sufficient privileges.

 

[#kalel]

General dentists have zero formal training in blephs. Even for OMFS, I believe a cosmetic fellowship or a follow-up independent plastic surgery residency is necessary to perform blephs.

I don't understand how a general dentist could ever even think about attempting blephs knowing that something WILL go wrong in the procedure and the ensuing lawsuit will be immeasureable...

 

[sed8nyank4u]

Ain't gonna happen. That isn't even a gray area. No overlap whatsoever.

 

[gryffindor]

There are state dental practice acts that help draw the lines for some of these things.

Most likely the malpractice carrier won't cover a GP for doing this type of a surgery.

Even if the malpractice carrier did cover the GP and there was a lawsuit, the GP would likely have to answer where they received training for this procedure. It's not taught in dental school and you may get to observe but likely never cut for this procedure in a GPR. I don't believe there are CE courses for this aimed at GPs either.

The only scenario in my head where a GP might get away with doing a blepharoplasty or a rhinoplasty (assuming they can even get a malpractice carrier to cover them) is if they were some top notch Oral Surgeon in another country and came here and had to start over with the foreign dentist pathways to licensure.

And I can't imagine any hospital giving a GP privileges for these procedures. Maybe the hypothetical foreign Oral Surgeon who is now an American GP could get away with doing it in a surgicenter type place?

 

[Gary Seeba]

General dentist doing any of the above procedures simply doesn't make sense to me. OMFS does not have to have additional training to perform blephs as #kalel mentioned above. It comes down to how many cases you have done. Also don't forget patients have to come to you for this and actually trust you to perform a good job. Insurers will usually consider providing coverage for these types of procedures if you have 10-20 documented cases in training. Your mileage may vary however.

Also and probably most importantly you must be able to handle any complications you create. For surgical cosmetic stuff there are several outcomes that could require you admit the patient to a hospital and resolve the issue there - general dentists don't have this privilege.

 

[Vapor1122]

Also and probably most importantly you must be able to handle any complications you create. For surgical cosmetic stuff there are several outcomes that could require you admit the patient to a hospital and resolve the issue there - general dentists don't have this privilege.

True, though the same could be said for RCT.

 

[Localnative]

jim cooper what planet are you from?

 

[fancymylotus]

The prevailing wisdom in dentistry seems to be that GPs can do any procedure a specialist can do, but they should expect to be held to the same standard of care. But taken to its logical conclusion, it's conceivable that some GP out there would start dabbling in cosmetic facial surgeries (not just Botox), given that such procedures are within the scope of OMS.

This, of course, sounds preposterous, but where, then, is that line drawn? Or is there a line? Is the idea of a GP doing an open rhino technically permissible, just never done in reality? Or is there something saying such procedures are off-limits for GPs? And if so, who makes these rules (laws?) regarding who can do what, anyway?

Just something that crossed my mind the other day. I realized I didn't actually know the answer to this, hence this thread.

The real question is why. Whyyyyyyyyyyyyy on earth would you want to take that liability on your head? When there are people far more qualified out there to be doing it? Not worth the headache.

 

[Smart Money MD]

For most professionals, performing a procedure outside the scope of practice is simply not worth the liability. There are plenty of ENT, OMFS, and eye surgeons who can perform a blepharoplasty, but don't. One surgical disaster and your years of training and hard work are over.

 

[Moose A Moose]

Wtf is this?