Alberta Dentists: Botox® & Dermal Filler Regulatory Requirements

Alberta has formally approved Botox® and dermal fillers for dentists

In 2013, the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA) was a key province in establishing the first Standard of Practice for Facial Esthetic Therapies and Adjunctive Procedures. The Standard of Practice covers the administration of neuromodulators (Botulinum Toxin Type A), dermal fillers, and other adjunctive esthetic and therapeutic procedures. Dentists must obtain the appropriate CDSA certificate before providing any level of treatment. Providing these services without a CDSA certificate — regardless of other credentials — is not permitted and may constitute unprofessional conduct

The multi-level certification pathway for Botox and dermal fillers

• Level 1 — Applied Anatomy Review & Introduction to Neuromodulators
  • A mandatory foundational course covering head and neck anatomy, pharmacology, and injection safety. Level 1 does not authorize patient treatment — it is a prerequisite for all subsequent levels.
• Level 2 — Basic Neuromodulators: Upper Face & Bruxism
  • Authorizes neuromodulators for the superficial muscles of the upper face (frontalis, glabellar complex, procerus, corrugators supercilii, orbicularis oculi) and for bruxism treatment via the temporalis and masseter muscles.
• Level 3 — Advanced Neuromodulators: Mid-Face, Lower Face & Neck
  • Advances into mid and lower face and neck regions, including myofascial pain and dysfunction treatment.
• Level 4 — Dermal Fillers & Deep Muscle Neuromodulators
  • Introduces basic and advanced dermal fillers (nasolabial fold, lip augmentation, malar enhancement, and more) and neuromodulators for deep muscles of mastication. Level 4a (basic fillers) must be completed before Level 4b (advanced fillers).
• Level 5 — Advanced Non-Surgical Esthetic Procedurees
  • Includes thread lifts, microneedling, chemical peels, phototherapies, and eyelash growth agents. Available to dentists holding a Level 4b certificate with additional modular training.

Key requirements under the CDSA Standard

• Full dental and medical health history completed; patient assessed as a suitable candidate
• Patient’s emotional health and goals assessed and documented
• Informed consent obtained, including discussion of risks, benefits, and complications
• The dentist holds the current CDSA certificate for the level of treatment being provided
• At least 20 documented treatments on patients — including pre- and post-treatment photographs — during a minimum six-month period before advancing to the next level
• Multiple treatments on the same patient count toward the 20-case minimum only if separated by at least three months

View the Alberta guidelines

View the guidelines below or click here to view on the CDSA website.

Documentation and photography requirements

• Pre- and post-treatment photographs are mandatory at all levels
• Patient identifiers and treatment start/end dates maintained for each 20-case set
• All records available at any time upon CDSA request

Meeting the CDSA’s documentation requirements requires a consistent, reliable system from day one.

PTIFAT recommends Facetec as the preferred tool for clinical photography and patient documentation. Designed specifically for dentists, Facetec streamlines photo capture, patient records, and case documentation, making it easier to build your 20-case portfolio and maintain the standards required by the CDSA.

Learn more about Facetec

Temporary and off-site treatment settings

Unlike some provinces, Alberta dentists may treat patients in temporary settings (spas, salons, private residences) provided they meet additional obligations: appropriate infection control, an emergency drug kit including hyaluronidase for dermal filler cases, an AED on-site, and copies of their registration and FETAP certificates at the treatment location.

PTIFAT is an accredited education provider

The CDSA requires dentists to complete training through a college-approved institution at each level. PTIFAT is an accredited educational provider and our programs are specifically designed to meet and exceed the Alberta Standard of Practice.

It is the dentist’s responsibility to confirm that any training program they enroll in is approved by their college before beginning.

View our approved training pathway

Ready to meet Alberta’s requirements?

PTIFAT’s Level 1 and Level 2 programs cover anatomy, injection technique, documentation protocols, and practice integration — everything you need to obtain your certificate with confidence.

Speak to an educational advisor