Dental Med Spa

[HappyDMD]

I'm in my last year of a combined 5 year DMD/MD program. The original plan was to go into OMFS after this, but I'm no longer interested in that. I plan to practice primarily as a dentist, but would like to use the MD in some way if possible since I did put in a lot of extra work to do the joint program. Just wanted to bounce some of my ideas so far off you guys to see how feasible they are and see if anyone has any other ideas for ways to utilize both degrees!

Plan A) Open up general dentistry practice that also contains a "med spa" offering services like laser hair removal, botox, microderm, etc. I would practice as a dentist and would hire a well-trained PA or aesthetician to perform these services. Since most med spa services are cash-only, this would probably help a lot with paying the overhead of the dental practice. I believe a medical license is necessary to own a med spa and to hire/supervise a PA, order things like botox, etc (correct me if I'm wrong and would be able to do such under a dental license only), so I would need to complete one year of residency before doing this. If so, what type of internship year would best prepare me to do this? IM/Family Medicine/transitional year/ER?

What would you guys think about such a practice? Is it irresponsible to open up a place like this without completing a full medical residency in something like derm? I would make sure the person I hire to perform the treatments is experienced, and wouldn't be doing anything crazy like lipo or something. I have experience with helping to run and advertise a small business, so I wouldn't be going into this blindly.

Plan B) Practice as both a dentist and general practitioner in an underserved area after completing a medical residency or intern year. A lot of people from the program want to end up doing this and go work in small towns that have a shortage of dental and medical care and create an all-in-one practice, devoting half their time to dentistry and half to primary care. I'm not liking this idea as much, as I would rather focus on just dentistry and be good at it rather than being both a mediocre dentist and mediocre physician.

What do you guys think?? I'm so far liking Plan A the best, but am open to any other ideas you guys might have!

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[Sephiroth]

periodonto-cardiology

 

[Screwtape]

The only DMD/MD program I know of is Case Western and it is new. Where are you attending, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[evilbooyaa]

Weird, the only DMD/MD programs I know are for accepted OMFS residents who need an MD to practice OMFS.

Regarding your questions, an MD without at least 1-year of general residency is not useful for clinical practice. I would check to see if someone non-BE/BC could open a med spa. If so, do a 1-year residency then open up what you're thinking about. I don't have an answer b/c I've never heard of anyone doing DMD/MD before that wasn't going into OMFS.

 

[DermViser]

I'm in my last year of a combined 5 year DMD/MD program. The original plan was to go into OMFS after this, but I'm no longer interested in that. I plan to practice primarily as a dentist, but would like to use the MD in some way if possible since I did put in a lot of extra work to do the joint program. Just wanted to bounce some of my ideas so far off you guys to see how feasible they are and see if anyone has any other ideas for ways to utilize both degrees!

Plan A) Open up general dentistry practice that also contains a "med spa" offering services like laser hair removal, botox, microderm, etc. I would practice as a dentist and would hire a well-trained PA or aesthetician to perform these services. Since most med spa services are cash-only, this would probably help a lot with paying the overhead of the dental practice. I believe a medical license is necessary to own a med spa and to hire/supervise a PA, order things like botox, etc (correct me if I'm wrong and would be able to do such under a dental license only), so I would need to complete one year of residency before doing this. If so, what type of internship year would best prepare me to do this? IM/Family Medicine/transitional year/ER?

What would you guys think about such a practice? Is it irresponsible to open up a place like this without completing a full medical residency in something like derm? I would make sure the person I hire to perform the treatments is experienced, and wouldn't be doing anything crazy like lipo or something. I have experience with helping to run and advertise a small business, so I wouldn't be going into this blindly.

Plan B) Practice as both a dentist and general practitioner in an underserved area after completing a medical residency or intern year. A lot of people from the program want to end up doing this and go work in small towns that have a shortage of dental and medical care and create an all-in-one practice, devoting half their time to dentistry and half to primary care. I'm not liking this idea as much, as I would rather focus on just dentistry and be good at it rather than being both a mediocre dentist and mediocre physician.

What do you guys think?? I'm so far liking Plan A the best, but am open to any other ideas you guys might have!

I thought your MD is part of the OMFS program? You come in with the DMD (DDS) and enter an OMFS program during which you get your MD initially and then enter an OMFS residency.

 

[Priapism4tooLong]

I thought your MD is part of the OMFS program? You come in with the DMD (DDS) and enter an OMFS program during which you get your MD initially and then enter an OMFS residency.

I thought the exact opposite, you do your MD then your OMFS is your Dmd

I didn't even know an md/Dmd program existed

 

[DermViser]

I thought the exact opposite, you do your MD then your OMFS is your Dmd

I didn't even know an md/Dmd program existed

Well DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) is another name for the commonly known DDS - depends on the university: http://hsdm.harvard.edu/academics/dmd

 

[Frazier]

A kid I went to high school with joined his dad's practice after dental school.

On his "About" page, it says he is certified to do botox and dermal fillers.

Who knew?

 

[Priapism4tooLong]

Well DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) is another name for the commonly known DDS - depends on the university: http://hsdm.harvard.edu/academics/dmd

yeah i knew dmd= dds. You were right you do your dental degree first, i know someone on FB who is doing OMFS residency and he did his dental first.

I'm in my last year of a combined 5 year DMD/MD program. The original plan was to go into OMFS after this, but I'm no longer interested in that. I plan to practice primarily as a dentist, but would like to use the MD in some way if possible since I did put in a lot of extra work to do the joint program. Just wanted to bounce some of my ideas so far off you guys to see how feasible they are and see if anyone has any other ideas for ways to utilize both degrees!

Plan A) Open up general dentistry practice that also contains a "med spa" offering services like laser hair removal, botox, microderm, etc. I would practice as a dentist and would hire a well-trained PA or aesthetician to perform these services. Since most med spa services are cash-only, this would probably help a lot with paying the overhead of the dental practice. I believe a medical license is necessary to own a med spa and to hire/supervise a PA, order things like botox, etc (correct me if I'm wrong and would be able to do such under a dental license only), so I would need to complete one year of residency before doing this. If so, what type of internship year would best prepare me to do this? IM/Family Medicine/transitional year/ER?

What would you guys think about such a practice? Is it irresponsible to open up a place like this without completing a full medical residency in something like derm? I would make sure the person I hire to perform the treatments is experienced, and wouldn't be doing anything crazy like lipo or something. I have experience with helping to run and advertise a small business, so I wouldn't be going into this blindly.

Plan B) Practice as both a dentist and general practitioner in an underserved area after completing a medical residency or intern year. A lot of people from the program want to end up doing this and go work in small towns that have a shortage of dental and medical care and create an all-in-one practice, devoting half their time to dentistry and half to primary care. I'm not liking this idea as much, as I would rather focus on just dentistry and be good at it rather than being both a mediocre dentist and mediocre physician.

What do you guys think?? I'm so far liking Plan A the best, but am open to any other ideas you guys might have!

On paper this sounds like a good plan. But in reality it may not be as easy, starting your own practice with doing just one thing is hard enough. Doing multiple things will require more than just you as a doctor. Especially plan B GP/Dentist?? lol i'm sure there are a lot of behind the scenes logistics you will have to look into. I haven't heard of anyone doing that.

But if i had to chose i'd go with A. But starting something like that would probably require a lot of money and more than just a few workers.

 

[DocVapor]

Would you really feel comfortable supervising an "experienced PA" and being on the hook for their care in something you yourself will have minimal experience in after one year of residency?

 

[Priapism4tooLong]

Would you really feel comfortable supervising an "experienced PA" and being on the hook for their care in something you yourself will have minimal experience in after one year of residency?

absolutely not, i would never go to this place lol. I'd go to someone whose ONLY been doing dentistry or ONLY been doing primary care.

 

[DocVapor]

absolutely not, i would never go to this place lol. I'd go to someone whose ONLY been doing dentistry or ONLY been doing primary care.

Agreed.

Now I am intrigued by the idea of a safer business model, something like a partnership with a Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon; OP runs the dentistry side and they run the Spa side.

 

[DermViser]

Agreed.

Now I am intrigued by the idea of a safer business model, something like a partnership with a Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon; OP runs the dentistry side and they run the Spa side.

At least if he had done OMFS he could have done the cosmetic, facial aesthetics stuff easily. Without it, I don't see how he can do it and advertise honestly and not get turned in to the BBB (Better Business Bureau).

 

[Frazier]

Agreed.

Now I am intrigued by the idea of a safer business model, something like a partnership with a Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon; OP runs the dentistry side and they run the Spa side.

Why would a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon want to partner with a dentist -- or vice versa?

Someone's revenue needs to be skimmed off of in order to make someone a profit.

Or is the revenue all from midlevels?

Are they going to make so much money off of midlevels alone that after paying expenses and dividing the profit it would be worth even bothering with such a venture (compared to what the dermatologist/plastic surgeon could bring in by instead dedicating that same time in the clinic/OR)?

 

[DocVapor]

At least if he had done OMFS he could have done the cosmetic, facial aesthetics stuff easily. Without it, I don't see how he can do it and advertise honestly and not get turned in to the BBB (Better Business Bureau).

Why would a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon want to partner with a dentist -- or vice versa?

Someone's revenue needs to be skimmed off of in order to make someone a profit.

Or is the revenue all from midlevels?

Are they going to make so much money off of midlevels alone that after paying expenses and dividing the profit it would be worth even bothering with such a venture (compared to what the dermatologist/plastic surgeon could bring in by instead dedicating that same time in the clinic/OR)?

I don't know if they would or how they would run it. I was just looking at it from the liability perspective of the OP who was considering hiring a mid-level to handle things he had very little experience in himself. Some physicians out there get away with this (i.e. Gastro's hiring CRNAs only for endoscopy), at least for now, so it comes down to personal comfort levels with that.

Would such a dual Dentist/Physician practice be feasible? I dunno. Would people find the bundling of services convenient enough that they would seek out the practice? Maybe in very select markets. I don't know enough about how either practice works or enough about the clientele that would it would serve.

 

[Frazier]

I don't know if they would or how they would run it. I was just looking at it from the liability perspective of the OP who was considering hiring a mid-level to handle things he had very little experience in himself. Some physicians out there get away with this (i.e. Gastro's hiring CRNAs only for endoscopy), at least for now, so it comes down to personal comfort levels with that.

Would such a dual Dentist/Physician practice be feasible? I dunno. Would people find the bundling of services convenient enough that they would seek out the practice? Maybe in very select markets. I don't know enough about how either practice works or enough about the clientele that would it would serve.

Don't get me wrong. I commend this line of thinking. Physicians should be business-minded if for no other reason than: it is sad to see non-physicians profit from the fruit of the doc's labor.

 

[Screwtape]

If anyone cares: the vast majority of oral surgeons, I'm guessing >99%, get their DDS/DMD degree first and then go into OMFS residency. It is possible for a MD student to finagle their way into an OMFS residency, but this is quite rare. About half of the current OMFS residencies grant MD's after completion (requires two years of medical school along with 4 year residency). This doesn't seem like what the OP is doing. The only current dual physician/dentist program (DO/DMD) is at Nova Southeastern and is six years. http://medicine.nova.edu/dodmd/

There supposedly might be one at case western, http://casemed.case.edu/admissions/education/dual_programs.cfm?program_id=12, but I can't really find much information.

Some dentists have been providing botox and fillers to their patients for some time now.

 

[deleted547631]

I'm in my last year of a combined 5 year DMD/MD program. The original plan was to go into OMFS after this, but I'm no longer interested in that. I plan to practice primarily as a dentist, but would like to use the MD in some way if possible since I did put in a lot of extra work to do the joint program. Just wanted to bounce some of my ideas so far off you guys to see how feasible they are and see if anyone has any other ideas for ways to utilize both degrees!

Plan A) Open up general dentistry practice that also contains a "med spa" offering services like laser hair removal, botox, microderm, etc. I would practice as a dentist and would hire a well-trained PA or aesthetician to perform these services. Since most med spa services are cash-only, this would probably help a lot with paying the overhead of the dental practice. I believe a medical license is necessary to own a med spa and to hire/supervise a PA, order things like botox, etc (correct me if I'm wrong and would be able to do such under a dental license only), so I would need to complete one year of residency before doing this. If so, what type of internship year would best prepare me to do this? IM/Family Medicine/transitional year/ER?

What would you guys think about such a practice? Is it irresponsible to open up a place like this without completing a full medical residency in something like derm? I would make sure the person I hire to perform the treatments is experienced, and wouldn't be doing anything crazy like lipo or something. I have experience with helping to run and advertise a small business, so I wouldn't be going into this blindly.

Plan B) Practice as both a dentist and general practitioner in an underserved area after completing a medical residency or intern year. A lot of people from the program want to end up doing this and go work in small towns that have a shortage of dental and medical care and create an all-in-one practice, devoting half their time to dentistry and half to primary care. I'm not liking this idea as much, as I would rather focus on just dentistry and be good at it rather than being both a mediocre dentist and mediocre physician.

What do you guys think?? I'm so far liking Plan A the best, but am open to any other ideas you guys might have!

What you're describing reminds me of this practice: http://www.aloufaesthetics.com/index.php

It's a two-man cosmetic-focused dental & medical practice - one guy is a general dentist (cosmetic) and the other is an FM-trained physician. If you're licensed in both medicine and dentistry, it's conceivable that you could do something like you laid out for plan A. If you're just looking to complete to complete PGY-1 for the medical licence, I'd go for prelim medicine or a TY.

Sending you a PM.

 

[Frazier]

What you're describing reminds me of this practice: http://www.aloufaesthetics.com/index.php

It's a two-man cosmetic-focused dental & medical practice - one guy is a general dentist (cosmetic) and the other is an FM-trained physician. If you're licensed in both medicine and dentistry, it's conceivable that you could do something like you laid out for plan A. If you're just looking to complete to complete PGY-1 for the medical licence, I'd go for prelim medicine or a TY.

Sending you a PM.

I only had a couple moments to look at the site, but I couldn't quite make out all the details of his training...

Is he a FM-trained doc that does surgical procedures -- including liposuction and implants?

It looked like he did his schooling overseas, perhaps they have different SOP there?

 

[deleted547631]

I only had a couple moments to look at the site, but I couldn't quite make out all the details of his training...

Is he a FM-trained doc that does surgical procedures -- including liposuction and implants?

It looked like he did his schooling overseas, perhaps they have different SOP there?

It almost appears so taking a closer look at the 'Meet the Doctor' and 'Services Offered' section. I can't explain how he'd get hospital surgical privileges for these, though. Perhaps @Winged Scapula could chime in!

 

[username456789]

It almost appears so taking a closer look at the 'Meet the Doctor' and 'Services Offered' section. I can't explain how he'd get hospital surgical privileges for these, though. Perhaps @Winged Scapula could chime in!

You wouldn't necessarily need hospital privileges for either of those procedures. I know plastic surgeons who do liposuction and breast augmentations right in his office (in an operating suite).

Now, a FM-trained physician doing it is another story. And ridiculous.

 

[Priapism4tooLong]

You wouldn't necessarily need hospital privileges for either of those procedures. I know plastic surgeons who do liposuction and breast augmentations right in his office (in an operating suite).

Now, a FM-trained physician doing it is another story. And ridiculous.

FM's do a lot of procedures, i can see them doing liposuction. Def not breast augmentation lol.

 

[DocVapor]

What you're describing reminds me of this practice: http://www.aloufaesthetics.com/index.php

It's a two-man cosmetic-focused dental & medical practice - one guy is a general dentist (cosmetic) and the other is an FM-trained physician. If you're licensed in both medicine and dentistry, it's conceivable that you could do something like you laid out for plan A. If you're just looking to complete to complete PGY-1 for the medical licence, I'd go for prelim medicine or a TY.

Sending you a PM.

Oh. My. God. Their terrible commercials never even occurred to me when I read this thread. The whole thing seems sketchy at best, but they apparently are making a decent living.

 

[HappyDMD]

A kid I went to high school with joined his dad's practice after dental school.

On his "About" page, it says he is certified to do botox and dermal fillers.

Who knew?

In most states dentists can give injectables like botox in certain areas around the mouth. Not sure about fillers.

 

[DermViser]

Oh. My. God. Their terrible commercials never even occurred to me when I read this thread. The whole thing seems sketchy at best, but they apparently are making a decent living.

Dr. Gregory Alouf is "Double" Board Certified in Cosmetic Surgery by the "World Board of Cosmetic Surgery" and the "International Board of Cosmetic Surgery". Dr. Alouf is also a faculty member for the "National Society of Cosmetic Physicians" where he lectures and educates other physicians, residents, and medical students in Cosmetic Medicine and Surgery. Our goal is to offer excellent cosmetic services which result in a positive patient experience.

I like how he puts the quotes around certain words. The intention is probably not what he means, as I interpreted them as air quotes.

 

[HappyDMD]

Would you really feel comfortable supervising an "experienced PA" and being on the hook for their care in something you yourself will have minimal experience in after one year of residency?

absolutely not, i would never go to this place lol. I'd go to someone whose ONLY been doing dentistry or ONLY been doing primary care.

(Talking about Plan A here) Aren't most cosmetic procedures learned through CE courses on one's own time? I was under the impression that the types of procedures I was thinking about (laser hair removal, botox, etc) aren't necessarily taught even in a derm residency and someone interested in offering these services would have to take courses on the side to learn them? So if I and whoever I hired to perform these procedures took all these courses to become certified in certain cosmetic treatments, wouldn't we be able to offer them just as safely as say someone who is BC is family medicine but decides to take some CE classes and offer cosmetic treatments at their practice?

 

[HappyDMD]

Just a few other questions...

1) Does anyone know roughly much does equipment and supplies for microderm, peels, botox, lasers for hair removal typically cost? maybe @DermViser ?

2) From what I've read, one must be a licensed physician in California (where I'm planning to move after school) to legally own a med spa. So based on this, I could be the owner of a med spa within my practice after I complete a PGY-1 year. Its also stated that the licensed physician could then delegate procedures like ones involving lasers and injectables to a dentist, PA, or nurse. It does say though that in this case, the dentist should not advertise themselves as a dentist when doing these procedures, but as a laser technician. So say I wanted to do the procedures myself when I start out instead of hiring someone: would I get in trouble for advertising myself as both a dentist/laser technician or licensed physician in the same practice?

In this case, would it be more "ethical" to advertise myself as a dentist who performs cosmetic procedures? I would still technically be the licensed MD legally delegating permission for this to be performed and serving as owner of the med spa, but I wouldn't really be advertising myself as a physician on my website or advertisements. I know this probably sounds very confusing lol...

 

[username456789]

(Talking about Plan A here) Aren't most cosmetic procedures learned through CE courses on one's own time? I was under the impression that the types of procedures I was thinking about (laser hair removal, botox, etc) aren't necessarily taught even in a derm residency and someone interested in offering these services would have to take courses on the side to learn them?

No, these procedures are indeed taught in Derm residency. In fact, the ACGME requires us to log X number of such procedures.

 

[DermViser]

(Talking about Plan A here) Aren't most cosmetic procedures learned through CE courses on one's own time? I was under the impression that the types of procedures I was thinking about (laser hair removal, botox, etc) aren't necessarily taught even in a derm residency and someone interested in offering these services would have to take courses on the side to learn them? So if I and whoever I hired to perform these procedures took all these courses to become certified in certain cosmetic treatments, wouldn't we be able to offer them just as safely as say someone who is BC is family medicine but decides to take some CE classes and offer cosmetic treatments at their practice?

No. Cosmetic procedures are definitely taught during derm residency, and also likely during a plastic residency. Contrary to public opinion, these are medical procedures that can cause real damage, sometimes irreversible, if done improperly.

 

[HappyDMD]

No. Cosmetic procedures are definitely taught during derm residency, and also likely during a plastic residency. Contrary to public opinion, these are medical procedures that can cause real damage, sometimes irreversible, if done improperly.

No, these procedures are indeed taught in Derm residency. In fact, the ACGME requires us to log X number of such procedures.

Ok my mistake, thanks for the correction. Do you believe that only dermatologists or plastic surgeons should be performing/supervising cosmetic procedures? A lot of IM and FM doctors learn how to do these through courses on the side and then offer them at their practices. Do you think its unsafe for them to perform all types of cosmetic procedures even after taking these courses/becoming certified? Or only certain procedures? Not trying to be confrontational or anything, just curious of about your opinion.

 

[DermViser]

Ok my mistake, thanks for the correction. Do you believe that only dermatologists or plastic surgeons should be performing/supervising cosmetic procedures? A lot of IM and FM doctors learn how to do these through courses on the side and then offer them at their practices. Do you think its unsafe for them to perform all types of cosmetic procedures even after taking these courses/becoming certified? Or only certain procedures? Not trying to be confrontational or anything, just curious of about your opinion.

No, I don't think you're being confrontational at all. The key words here are training and practice. Do I believe IM/FM doctors should be performing these procedures based on their only experience being taking a weekend course? No.

Should derms and plsatic surgeons be the only ones performing these procedures? I can't say. I imagine, for example, that ENTs could also make the same argument of their training as many of them do facial procedures. OMFS people could make the very same argument with regards to their training. I would be completely biased for me to say that only Derm and Plastics has a monopoly on cosmetics procedures.

The reason IM and FM docs can offer these procedures is bc medical licenses are not specialty specific. You can do anything you want with a medical license (along with it's accompanying risk of malpractice). That doesn't mean one should, but one can.

http://www.ncmedboard.org/articles/...ft_questions_of_competency_and_ethics_are_key

 

[Winged Scapula]

It almost appears so taking a closer look at the 'Meet the Doctor' and 'Services Offered' section. I can't explain how he'd get hospital surgical privileges for these, though. Perhaps @Winged Scapula could chime in!

He wouldn't be able to get OR privileges in most hospitals without being BE/BC in surgery.

Surgery centers tend to have less strict credentialing requirements.

My bet, is as surmised above, is that they do these procedures in their office. Note that all of the larger cases are listed as "Awake" liposuction, "Awake" mini-facelift. This tells me they aren't doing cases under GA in the OR.

 

[Winged Scapula]

2) From what I've read, one must be a licensed physician in California (where I'm planning to move after school) to legally own a med spa. So based on this, I could be the owner of a med spa within my practice after I complete a PGY-1 year. Its also stated that the licensed physician could then delegate procedures like ones involving lasers and injectables to a dentist, PA, or nurse. It does say though that in this case, the dentist should not advertise themselves as a dentist when doing these procedures, but as a laser technician. So say I wanted to do the procedures myself when I start out instead of hiring someone: would I get in trouble for advertising myself as both a dentist/laser technician or licensed physician in the same practice?

That is true. I think we've mentioned this as an option for a physician who doesn't complete a residency.

The truth in advertising line is somewhat mobile. There is no legal definition of "cosmetic physician". You could even become a member of prestigious societies such as this one.

 

[HappyDMD]

That is true. I think we've mentioned this as an option for a physician who doesn't complete a residency.

The truth in advertising line is somewhat mobile. There is no legal definition of "cosmetic physician". You could even become a member of prestigious societies such as this one.

But would I be able to advertise myself as a "cosmetic physician" or even just a laser technician or something within the same practice that I am also a dentist? I'm only asking because in dentistry, someone who specializes in endodontics can still practice general dentistry legally at their practice in most states, as long as they do not advertise themselves as both a specialist and a general dentist. But according to what I've read, I wouldn't be able to advertise myself as a dentist while I'm performing cosmetic procedures.

 

[Winged Scapula]

But would I be able to advertise myself as a "cosmetic physician" or even just a laser technician or something within the same practice that I am also a dentist? I'm only asking because in dentistry, someone who specializes in endodontics can still practice general dentistry legally at their practice in most states, as long as they do not advertise themselves as both a specialist and a general dentist. But according to what I've read, I wouldn't be able to advertise myself as a dentist while I'm performing cosmetic procedures.

I do not know the rules for dentists. Probably a question better asked in the dental forums.

 

[Priapism4tooLong]

Ok my mistake, thanks for the correction. Do you believe that only dermatologists or plastic surgeons should be performing/supervising cosmetic procedures? A lot of IM and FM doctors learn how to do these through courses on the side and then offer them at their practices. Do you think its unsafe for them to perform all types of cosmetic procedures even after taking these courses/becoming certified? Or only certain procedures? Not trying to be confrontational or anything, just curious of about your opinion.

I would rather go to a derm/plastic person than an IM/FM. IM/FM's aren't hired to do cosmetics, i personally would never go to them.

Just a few other questions...

1) Does anyone know roughly much does equipment and supplies for microderm, peels, botox, lasers for hair removal typically cost? maybe @DermViser ?

2) From what I've read, one must be a licensed physician in California (where I'm planning to move after school) to legally own a med spa. So based on this, I could be the owner of a med spa within my practice after I complete a PGY-1 year. Its also stated that the licensed physician could then delegate procedures like ones involving lasers and injectables to a dentist, PA, or nurse. It does say though that in this case, the dentist should not advertise themselves as a dentist when doing these procedures, but as a laser technician. So say I wanted to do the procedures myself when I start out instead of hiring someone: would I get in trouble for advertising myself as both a dentist/laser technician or licensed physician in the same practice?

In this case, would it be more "ethical" to advertise myself as a dentist who performs cosmetic procedures? I would still technically be the licensed MD legally delegating permission for this to be performed and serving as owner of the med spa, but I wouldn't really be advertising myself as a physician on my website or advertisements. I know this probably sounds very confusing lol...

would you really be comfortable opening up your own practice/spa after pgy1?? That sounds gutsy

 

[HappyDMD]

I would rather go to a derm/plastic person than an IM/FM. IM/FM's aren't hired to do cosmetics, i personally would never go to them.





would you really be comfortable opening up your own practice/spa after pgy1?? That sounds gutsy

But even at derm/plastics offices, isn't it usually an aesthetician or midlevel the one actually performing the cosmetic procedures?

A lot of dentists open their own practice shortly after graduating. If I were to do this, I would probably start off with offering a couple services like maybe facials or microdermabrasian, and hold off on investing in something like a laser for awhile. Maybe offer dental services Mon-Thurs and do the med spa services myself on Fri since doing dentistry five days a week is very physically demanding.

Another thing that worries me though is the possibility of my hand skills deteriorating if I take a year off for an internship. Would it be realistic to try working part time while in PGY-1?

 

[MDX]

yeah i knew dmd= dds. You were right you do your dental degree first, i know someone on FB who is doing OMFS residency and he did his dental first.




On paper this sounds like a good plan. But in reality it may not be as easy, starting your own practice with doing just one thing is hard enough. Doing multiple things will require more than just you as a doctor. Especially plan B GP/Dentist?? lol i'm sure there are a lot of behind the scenes logistics you will have to look into. I haven't heard of anyone doing that.

But if i had to chose i'd go with A. But starting something like that would probably require a lot of money and more than just a few workers.

Just because you haven't heard of anyone doing that doesn't mean it doesn't exist...
http://www.doctorburket.com/

 

[DermViser]

Just because you haven't heard of anyone doing that doesn't mean it doesn't exist...
http://www.doctorburket.com/

"During medical school, he married his wife, Julie, whom he's known since 7th grade. She was so hot and is still a babe."

 

[Frazier]

"During medical school, he married his wife, Julie, whom he's known since 7th grade. She was so hot and is still a babe."

Wife hacked his webmaster account.

 

[fancymylotus]

Just because you haven't heard of anyone doing that doesn't mean it doesn't exist...
http://www.doctorburket.com/

wtf even is this

oh. oregon. go figure. yet another ??????? place

 

[styphon]

But even at derm/plastics offices, isn't it usually an aesthetician or midlevel the one actually performing the cosmetic procedures?

A lot of dentists open their own practice shortly after graduating. If I were to do this, I would probably start off with offering a couple services like maybe facials or microdermabrasian, and hold off on investing in something like a laser for awhile. Maybe offer dental services Mon-Thurs and do the med spa services myself on Fri since doing dentistry five days a week is very physically demanding.

Another thing that worries me though is the possibility of my hand skills deteriorating if I take a year off for an internship. Would it be realistic to try working part time while in PGY-1?

I interviewed at a family med/internal med group which had a cosmetic center. They had one PA trained to do the skin procedures - which were lasers -for tattoo removal, melasma, "laser liposuction", hair removal, and microabrasion - which IM/FMphysicians would "sign off" on, and despite the concerns expressed here the center was very popular. I feel as if the same process occurs at derm clinics - the physician sees the acne/chronic dermatitis/etc while techs and PA's do the cosmetic applications.

 

[username456789]

I interviewed at a family med/internal med group which had a cosmetic center. They had one PA trained to do the skin procedures - which were lasers -for tattoo removal, melasma, "laser liposuction", hair removal, and microabrasion - which IM/FMphysicians would "sign off" on, and despite the concerns expressed here the center was very popular. I feel as if the same process occurs at derm clinics - the physician sees the acne/chronic dermatitis/etc while techs and PA's do the cosmetic applications.

This is why people end up like this:

Reputable dermatology offices have MDs manning stuff like lasers and other procedural equipment. PAs are useful to see the easy acne patients, follow-ups for non-complicated derm problems, and performing simple biopsies after the physician has examined the patient.

Putting a PA (or similar) in charge of lasers or injectables is just asking for trouble.

 

[fancymylotus]

WHAT THE F UCK IS THAT

my skin is crawling

ew
ew
ew
ew
ew
ew

afdlkjjsdlfkjslkdfjsd

 

[username456789]

WHAT THE F UCK IS THAT

my skin is crawling

ew
ew
ew
ew
ew
ew

afdlkjjsdlfkjslkdfjsd

The side effects of unqualified persons administering laser therapy for hair removal.

 

[Priapism4tooLong]

Just because you haven't heard of anyone doing that doesn't mean it doesn't exist...
http://www.doctorburket.com/

Lol no i agree, i never said they didn't exist.

That guy hired a website designer from the 90's lol.

 

[Kahreek]

this is debatable, i cannot be 100% agaisnt fm/im doing cosmetic, when i see these same procedures being done by non-physicians.

 

[DermViser]

this is debatable, i cannot be 100% agaisnt fm/im doing cosmetic, when i see these same procedures being done by non-physicians.

Non-physicians shouldn't be doing this stuff either. These are treatments and devices (chemical peels, lasers, etc.) that can cause real damage.

 

[Frazier]

Non-physicians shouldn't be doing this stuff either. These are treatments and devices (chemical peels, lasers, etc.) that can cause real damage.

Pretty brutal outcomes for what the lay public would consider relatively benign procedures.

"Hey girl, let's get a chemical peel next week! Totally heard about it on the Kardashians!"

 

[DermViser]

Pretty brutal outcomes for what the lay public would consider relatively benign procedures.

"Hey girl, let's get a chemical peel next week! Totally heard about it on the Kardashians!"

Even some NYTimes reporters believe this: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/19/health/patients-costs-skyrocket-specialists-incomes-soar.html
In recent years, the American Academy of Dermatology Association — the dermatology academy’s political action committee...has pushed states to classify Botox injections as well as skin procedures using lasers as “the practice of medicine,” to prevent spas from offering such services.

So then please don't come running and crying to your local dermatologist in the aftermath when you end up getting very serious burns and scarring from lasers and chemical peels done by inexperienced charlatans. These aren't benign procedures and never have been.