Botox and dermal fillers approved for BC Dentists
According to the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP), dentists may perform injectable Botox and dermal filler procedures when they are limited to the orofacial complex and associated anatomical structures and are performed in the course of practising dentistry.
The Dentists Regulation defines dentistry as:
“the health profession in which a person provides the services of assessment, management, treatment and prevention of diseases, disorders and conditions of the orofacial complex and associated anatomical structures.”
BCCOHP has also referenced the Dentists Regulation, which authorizes dentists to perform certain restricted activities in the course of practising dentistry, including procedures on tissues of the orofacial complex and associated anatomical structures below the dermis or surface of a mucous membrane.
In practical terms, this means BC dentists must ensure that any neuromodulator or dermal filler treatment is connected to the practice of dentistry and limited to the orofacial complex and associated anatomical structures.
BC Botox education and training expectations
BCCOHP does not approve, endorse, or accredit specific dermal filler or facial aesthetics training programs. Instead, registrants are expected to exercise professional judgment when selecting educational programs and are responsible for ensuring they possess the knowledge, training, competence, and clinical experience necessary to provide safe patient care.
The College has stated that the depth and type of education required should be proportionate to the complexity and risk of the treatments being provided.
British Columbia: no formal Botox-specific practice standard currently published
Unlike several other Canadian provinces, the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) does not currently publish a specific Standard of Practice covering Botox® (neuromodulators) or dermal fillers for dentists.
BCCOHP does publish general dental recordkeeping guidelines and Professional Standards for the Oral Health Team, which define minimum expectations for professional conduct, performance, and clinical care — including for procedures outside routine dentistry.
What this means for BC dentists
In the absence of a formal Botox-specific standard, BC dentists who offer neuromodulator or dermal filler treatments are expected to:
- Operate within the general scope of dentistry as defined by BC legislation
- Demonstrate appropriate training and competence before providing these services
- Maintain comprehensive patient records consistent with BCCOHP general recordkeeping requirements
- Obtain informed consent and document all treatment details
- Ensure pre- and post-treatment photographs are taken and retained as part of the clinical record
PTIFAT training for BC dentists
PTIFAT’s training courses are designed to provide comprehensive education in facial esthetic therapies through evidence-based instruction, hands-on clinical training, patient assessment, treatment planning, anatomy, documentation, complication management, and ethical practice.
Our curriculum is built on the Facial Esthetic Therapies and Adjunctive Procedures (FETAP) framework and is intended to help dentists develop the knowledge and clinical competence required to safely integrate facial esthetic procedures into practice.
PTIFAT is also an ADA CERP-recognized continuing education provider committed to delivering high-quality continuing education for dental professionals.
View our approved training pathwayRecordkeeping expectations under BCCOHP guidelines
The BCCOHP general dental recordkeeping guidelines require that records include:
- Clinical diagnosis and treatment plan
- Accurate medical and dental history
- All drugs prescribed, dispensed, or administered (name, strength, dose)
- Informed consent documented
- Description of all treatment rendered, materials used, and outcomes
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.
Learn more about FacetecOur recommendation for BC dentists
Given the absence of a province-specific Botox® or dermal filler standard in British Columbia, PTIFAT recommends that dentists pursue rigorous, hands-on training and document their care to a standard consistent with provinces that have formal published requirements, such as Alberta or Nova Scotia.
This conservative approach can help support patient safety, professional accountability, and defensible documentation in the event of a complaint, adverse event, or regulatory review.
Dentists should contact BCCOHP directly to confirm current expectations before offering neuromodulator or dermal filler services.
Contact BCCOHP: www.oralhealthbc.ca
PTIFAT is an accredited education provider
BCCOHP 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 BC 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.
Ready to meet BC’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.
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