PTIFA

Level 2 – Basic Botulinum Toxin: Aesthetic Upper Face & Therapeutic Pain Management

Overview

Successfully introduce botulinum toxin (Dysport®/Botox®) into your practice with PTIFA’s proven clinical protocols. The Level 2 course offers you the most extensive clinical hands-on training within the industry. Learn how you can reduce the signs of aging by eliminating fine facial wrinkles and reduce myofascial pain (migraines/headaches/TMD). Level 2 is a comprehensive botulinum toxin course where you will learn the PTIFA Anatomic Landmark Template, the PTIFA Therapeutic & Aesthetic Injection Templates & Techniques, as well as all of the skills required to immediately and successfully integrate treatment into a dental or medical practice.

Level 2 includes an online component (8hrs), plus an extensive two-day hands-on session held on campus at the University of British Columbia in the Patterson Dental Learning Centre (Vancouver, BC).

Online Didactic

The online portion of Level 2 includes six sections:

  1. Glabella
  2. Frontalis
  3. Orbicularis Occuli
  4. TMD
  5. Migraines & Headaches
  6. Parafunctional Habits

The online portion of the Level 2 course reviews the glabella (in between the eyes), frontalis (forehead lines) and crows feet (beside the eyes). allows practitioners to develop a deep understanding of what botulinum toxin is, how and why it affects facial muscles, as well as how to direct botulinum toxin to purposely achieve aesthetic facial improvements in the upper face. Practitioners will also learn how botulinum toxin is used therapeutically to treat parafunctional habits, TMD, temporal headaches, migraines and oromandibular dystonias. We will address the topic of prevention/interception and review the musculature of the face and neck. Analysis of muscle recruitment will assist us in determining the cause of the many wrinkle presentations and expressions. A review of the aging process will determine the exact location of placement and number of units of botulinum toxin. The analysis and differential diagnosis of parafunctional habits, TMD and headache will utilize EMG duotrodes.

 

Day 1 – Integrative Landmarking Cadaver Lab (Friday)

Practitioners will attend an anatomical and functional cadaver integration. Dr. Roberts provides an in-depth review of anatomy, and relates surfaces features with underlying musculature and bones in this hands-on cadaver lab. Understanding the source, pathways and overlap of the cranial nerves provides the foundation for understanding myofacial pain. The synergy of facial and therapeutic botulinum toxin provides you with a new invaluable myofascial pain treatment modality. As Dr. Roberts reviews muscles on the cadaver, practitioners will practice the PTIFA Landmarking Technique on each other. This integrative portion of the cadaver lab develops confidence prior to the clinical hands-on. The day is completed with a live model demonstration where Dr. Roberts will perform the PTIFA Anatomic Landmark Template, the PTIFA Therapeutic & Aesthetic Injection Templates & Techniques on a live model.

 

Day 2 – Clinical Hands-on (Saturday)

Day 2 is an intensive clinical hands-on practicum where you will have the opportunity to inject 10+ patient models using the PTIFA Anatomic Landmark Template, the PTIFA Therapeutic & Aesthetic Injection Templates & Techniques. The course is typically held on campus at the University of British Columbia in the Patterson Dental Learning Centre (Vancouver, BC). You will have the opportunity to see how a patient is treated from the moment they walk into the clinic, how the necessary medical history and consents are collected on the FACETEC software, what photography is required and how it is stored on FACETEC, the consultation process, treatment (including markings & injection), how the patient is billed, as well as booking the patient’s post-op appointment. Our goal is to provide you with extensive hands-on experience so that you are confident leaving and going back to treat patients within your own practice. Team Members registered for the Level 2 – Team Training course assist practitioners in clinic – receiving one-on-one hands-on photography, reconstitution, loading of the syringe instruction, and more.

Part of the program offers a separate Level 2 – Team Training course for any non-injector related member of your office (ie: Office Managers, Receptionists, Medical Office Assistants, Chair-side Assistants, Hygienists, Office Managers, Pharmacy Assistants etc.). This course is held concurrently with the Practitioner’s training and is focused on the clinical integration, photography, marketing and more.

Practitioners and Team Members both graduate from Level 2 with the knowledge, skills and confidence to perform precision muscular injections with predictable positive results. Practitioners who successfully complete Level 2 are provided with a certificate of completion, as well as the necessary forms and training to successfully incorporate botulinum toxin into their practice. They are also able to register for the online Support Study Club – offering case support and more.

Objectives

  1. Understand how to inject botulinum toxin (aka Dysport®/Botox®) to achieve predictable cosmetic results in the upper face.
  2. Understand how to inject botulinum toxin (aka Dysport®/Botox®) to achieve predictable therapeutic results for myofascial pain management (migraines/headaches/TMD/bruxism).
  3. Gain extensive hands-on experience marking fellow participants after precise anatomical landmark identification on the skull and cadaver.
  4. Develop a deep understanding of how to improve patient care with botulinum toxin – both therapeutically and aesthetically.

Topics

  • Frontalis Muscle
  • Glabellar Complex
  • Procerus
  • Corrugators Supercilii
  • Orbicularis Oculi
  • Research Articles Supporting Therapy
  • Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Mechanism of Action
  • Preparation, Dosage, and Procedure
  • Practical Pearls

Format & CE

Level 2 includes an online didactic section (8 hours & exam), followed by a 2-day hands-on session typically held on campus at the University of British Columbia in the Patterson Dental Learning Centre (16 hours).

Upon registration, access to the online Level 2 course materials is provided for one-year. Level 2 includes 24 CE credits upon successful completion of the hands-on session.

Areas Trained To Treat

Level 2 graduates are trained to treat the following areas and are able to store, compare and create portfolios using FACETEC software.

  1. Glabella Complex – fine facial lines located in-between the eyes (aka “#11’s)
  2. Frontalis Muscle – fine facial lines located across the forehead
  3. Orbicularis Occuli – fine facial lines located around the eyes
  4. Migraines & Headaches – reducing severity and duration of symptoms
  5. TMD – reducing myofascial pain symptoms associated with TMD (temporomandibular dysfunction)
  6. Parafunctional Habits – reducing myofascial pain symptoms associated with bruxing/clenching/grinding

FAQS

What is your registration policy?
Please review our Registration Policy prior to registering.
When can I register for Level 2?
You can register for Level 2 at any time. You do not have to wait until you complete Level 1, prior to registering for Level 2.  We recommend that you register for Level 2 as soon as you find course dates that suit your schedule. Level 2 course dates are typically full two months in advance. We recommend registering early to avoid disappointment.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! We offer a limited number of payment plans to attend Level 2 and higher level hands-on courses. Please register for Level 1, and a monthly payment plan can be made to attend a Level 2 course date. Tuition is due in full prior to attending the hands-on course date. Please contact us for details.
Am I required to bring a patient model? I don’t have one, can I still attend?
Each practitioner is required to provide a minimum of one patient model for the clinical hands-on (Day 2). This is so that you can assess the results of treatment back in your own practice two-weeks after the course. Typically your patient model is a Team Member attending the Level 2 – Team portion of the course with you, however it can also be a spouse, friend or patient from your office. Please note that PTIFA does our best to accommodate the clinic for the hands-on portion of the course and maximize the amount of cases and hands-on experience you have. Additional patient models are typically provided by PTIFA, however we cannot guarantee an extensive hands-on experience if practitioners do not provide patient models. Practitioners are only responsible for the fee of the patient model(s) they provided for the course. Fees are due at the time of service and are provided at a professional courtesy of $6/unit). If you are unable to provide a patient model, please contact us at least one month prior to the hands-on session.
I only want to learn the therapeutic use of botulinum toxin. What course do I take?
There is significant overlap between aesthetic and therapeutic botulinum toxin treatment. Many practitioners only perform “aesthetic” injections while others only “therapeutic”. A deeper understanding of how the two are related is required in order for you as the practitioner to serve your patient most effectively. In order to provide a high-level of patient care, practitioners require a deep comprehensive understanding of the PTIFA Therapeutic Template and the Cosmetic Template and their synergy. Precise anatomical placement allows assessment of proper dosage. Somewhat higher dosages than those used for aesthetic treatment alone results in reduction of headaches and migraines (Allergan PREEMPT study). A threshold dosage, carefully placed, must be reached in order to obtain therapeutic relief. At this juncture, the secondary and tertiary mechanisms of action of botulinum toxin (Dysport®/Botox®) come into play, and there is a synergy between aesthetic and therapeutic outcomes. That's why our Level 2 course has been designed to teach you the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin in the upper face, as well as the therapeutic use for reducing pain (migraines/headaches/TMJ/bruxing/etc). At a minimum, we recommend the Level 1 online Level 2 hands-on course. To learn more, review Dr. Roberts' article "Botulinum Toxin: Not Just a Pretty Face".
What support is available to me after completing the Level 2 course?
Level 2 graduates are encouraged to join the online Botox Study Club. Membership includes case support for your difficult cases, team training videos, access to all research articles and studies, recorded webinars, live hands-on sessions (when offered) and more.
Can I bring my team to the course?
Yes! We highly encourage you to register your team for the Level 2 – Team Training course. This course is geared specifically for all non-injecting team members within your office (ie: reception, office managers, chair-side assistants, hygienists, etc) and has been developed to so that you can successfully integrate treatment into any medical or dental office.
Can I register for Level 1 and Level 2 at the same time?
Yes, we recommend registering for both the online Level 1 course and Level 2 if you see a Level 2 hands-on course date that works with your schedule. Successful completion of both the online Level 1 and Level 2 exams is required prior to attending the Level 2 hands-on course date.
How long after taking Level 1 do I have to complete Level 2?
There is no time limit between taking Level 1 and Level 2. You can register for Level 2 at any time. Most people register for Level 1 and Level 2 at the same time. Upon registering for the Level 2 course, you will be provided with access to review the online Level 1 course materials again.
Will I be able to offer botulinum toxin and/or dermal fillers in my practice after completing the course?
Upon completion of the Level 2 course, you will have the training to be able to offer botulinum toxin treatment for the cosmetic use in the upper face, as well as for myofascial pain. Please contact your college for scope and additional practice guidelines.
What is the Student to Instructor ratio?
The Level 2 course offers limited seats in an intimate setting of a maximum of four practitioners/students to one Instructor at the Clinical Hands-on.
How much hands-on instruction will I have?
Our goal is to maximize the amount of hands-on experience you have so that you are confident offering treatment back in your own practice after the course. At the Level 2 course, you can expect to inject different 10+ different patients. This is achieved by sharing patient models amongst all practitioners. This allows you to inject multiple tissue types and cases.
How do I integrate botulinum toxin into my practice? Is it different for medical vs. dental practitioners?
The Level 1 and Level 2 curriculum has been uniquely developed to help you successfully integrate botulinum toxin treatment into your practice immediately after taking the course. We understand that incorporating a new treatment modality can be challenging. Our Level 2 graduates can expect to receive all of the training, tools and clinical requirements so that they can begin integrating treatment into their offices immediately after the course.
Do I have to complete Level 1 before taking Level 2? Can I just take Level 2?
Yes. All of the higher Level courses are based on the advanced anatomy taught in Level 1. Without Level 1, practitioners will not understand or benefit from the advanced Level courses. PTIFA is an anatomy-based educational provider and is known for leading the industry’s patient care practices. The anatomy taught in Level 1 is unprecedented world-wide and across the industry.
Who is a Team Member and why are they recommended to come to the course?
Team Members are any non-injecting staff member within your office, such as reception, office managers, chair-side assistants, hygienists, etc. We have found that the offices who cross-train their entire teams are the most successful integrating treatment into their practice. Team Members play an important role facilitating the integration into your practice. We highly encourage you register your entire team for the Level 2 – Team Training course.
Can I register my Team Members closer to the course date?
Yes. Typically we can accommodate Team Member registrations, however the practitioner seats are limited due to the low Instructor to Student ratio.
How many Team Members should I bring for the Level 2 – Team Training course?
We find that the practices who cross-train their entire team are the ones who are most successful integrating treatment into their office.
Is any clinical integration and/or marketing taught in this course?
Yes! Practitioners receive clinical integration in the Level 1 and Level 2 course. Additionally, Team Members who attend the Level 2 – Team Member course receive specific training on how to speak to patients about treatment, how to reconstitute and load syringes, supplies, marketing, billing, photography training and much more.
I’m an international graduate. Can I take this course?
Our courses are available to international dental, medical and nursing graduates. However, some of the treatments include the use of prescription medications (ie: botulinum toxin) and require the ability to prescribe and/or administer prescription medications. Please appreciate we train practitioners from across the world and that regulations vary. Please contact the local licensing college within the jurisdiction you plan to practice for details prior to registering.
Can I purchase botulinum toxin (ie: Botox /Dysport) through PTIFA?
PTIFA offers a number of products to integrate treatment back into your office, however we do not sell/distribute botulinum toxin products. Level 2 graduates are provided details on how to order botulinum toxin product.
Testimonials
I just finished level 2 and had an amazing experience with everyone at PTIFA. The course so far has been very thorough and very easy to understand. The hands on experience has prepared me to start treatment on my patients immediately with confidence. I can’t wait to come for level 3. Thanks to everyone at PTIFA.
Dr. Khurrum Ashraf (Waterloo, ON)
Testimonials
The PTIFA Botox course is hands down the most thorough and clinically relevant program available for any physician who is considering expanding their skills and services to this field. Students receive a detailed education on theory, pharmacodynamics, technique, and safety protocols required to confidently provide quality care, supplemented by hands-on anatomy lab training relevant to our medical training.  Although the focus is on popular and effective cosmetic treatments, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that common and practical therapeutic Botox applications are also covered. I appreciate the plethora of resources at my disposal from PTIFA for ongoing learning and invaluable support after completing their program. My patients are happy and so am I!
Dr. Nathalie Boudreau, MD
Testimonials
Dr. Roberts is definitely an expert on Botox®! This course is a solid investment for doctors. The comprehensive anatomy review, photography module and depth of the hands-on training were extremely good.The color syllabus, diagrams and schematics were well thought-out and come from Dr. Roberts’ own history of patient treatment. The Pacific Training Institute’s course was vastly superior to a previous one day introductory Botox® course I took in New York. I found Dr. Roberts’ two day course was packed full of current and relevant material and should give any doctor the confidence to offer Botox® in their practice.
Ivan Kahn, DMD

Benefits

Achieve little to no negative side effects with PTIFA’s Marking and Injection Techniques and Clinical Protocols.

Successfully treatment plan and mark your patients with confidence after attending the integrative Cadaver Lab.

Ability to review the online course videos as often as you wish by accessing the didactic materials online.

Achieve a high-level of patient care and clinical competency within your practice.

Successfully integrate treatment back into your practice with our proven Clinical Protocols and Level 2 – Team Training course.

Fully engage your entire practice Team with the separate Level 2 – Team Training course.

Improve patient care with your myofascial pain patients by integrating electromyograph analytics and threshold dosages of therapeutic botulinum toxin.

Science-based and practice-based approaches & techniques  – our syllabus includes before-and-after cases directly from our Faculty members (and not the pharmaceutical companies).

Confidently offer a treatment your patients will love and ask you for!

Fees and Requirements

Pre-requisite: Successful completion of Level 1 is required prior to attending the Level 2 hands-on. Please note you may register for Level 1 and Level 2 at the same time.

Requirements: A minimum of one patient model(s), a current copy of your license and malpractice insurance.

Fees:

  • Practitioner Tuition: $3,400
  • Team Member Tuition: $799
  • Patient Model: A professional courtesy of $6/unit is charged for each patient model having treatment in the clinic. Practitioners are responsible solely for the patient model they provide at the course.

All funds are in Canadian Dollars. Please review our Registration Policy prior to registering.

CE Recognition

PTIFA is an ADA CERP recognized provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers with continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. PTIFA designates Level 2 for 24 hours of continuing education credits.

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