Can your dentist carry out facial aesthetics?

What does facial aesthetics mean?

Facial aesthetics is a type of treatment for your face that doesn’t involve surgery. They can improve your skin, reduce wrinkles or shape your lips, cheeks or jawline.

You might also hear these treatments called:

• anti-wrinkle treatments
• cosmetic procedures
• non-surgical cosmetics

Some common facial aesthetic treatments include:

• anti-wrinkle injections
• dermal fillers
• chemical peels
• microneedling
• laser resurfacing

Who can carry out facial aesthetic treatments?

Cosmetic procedures aren’t available on the NHS, unless there’s a specific medical need for them. So if you’re thinking about treatment, you’ll probably need to book a private consultation.

In the UK, both medical and non-medical professionals can offer anti-wrinkle injections and fillers. But botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine. So it must be prescribed by a qualified medical professional such as a doctor, dentist, prescribing nurse or pharmacist first. These medical professionals are regulated and receive extensive training.

Non-medical practitioners, such as beauticians and therapists, may also perform these treatments. But they’re not regulated in the same way as medical professionals.

Right now, there aren’t any laws governing the UK aesthetics industry. This means that anyone can offer these procedures without a licence. But the UK government is actively working on new regulations for aesthetics to regulate who can perform these treatments. The exact details and timings are still being finalised, but these changes are expected soon.

In June 2025, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) banned remote prescribing. So nurses and midwives must see patients face-to-face before prescribing non-surgical cosmetics.

Can dentists do facial aesthetics?

Many dentists, dental hygienists and therapists now undertake additional training in facial aesthetics. One study found that almost 1 in 4 practitioners delivering aesthetic treatments are dentists.

It makes sense, since dentists have:

• a deep understanding of facial anatomy
• know how to inject your face safely
• work from safe, regulated clinical settings

The most common types of facial aesthetics performed by dentists include the following.

Anti-wrinkle injections

Anti-wrinkle injections use a small needle to inject botulinum toxin into the muscles of your face. Botulinum toxin is made from a type of bacteria. It stops certain muscles in your face from contracting, which helps them to relax. This reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

These injections only work on active wrinkles. This means they treat lines that appear when you move your face, like when you smile or frown. They don’t work on wrinkles that are always there, even when your face is resting.

Botulinum toxin can also be used to treat medical conditions, like excessive sweating. Legally, it must be prescribed by a qualified medical professional such as a doctor, dentist or nurse.

You might also hear people call it ‘Botox®’. But this is just one brand name for botulinum toxin.

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are also injections given with a small needle, but they’re sometimes done using a flexible tube with a rounded tip known as a cannula. They use substances that add moisture and volume to your skin, to make it look fuller and smoother. The most common of these is called hyaluronic acid. This is a substance that occurs naturally in your body, but decreases as you get older. Dermal fillers can treat wrinkles and restore volume to your skin. They can also make your lips fuller, or contour your cheeks and jawline.

How do I choose an aesthetic practitioner?

It’s important to choose a regulated aesthetic practitioner you can trust. They should have the right skills, qualifications, and insurance. The tips below can help you choose an aesthetic practitioner safely.

• Book an initial consultation and ask as many questions as you can. Talk to your practitioner about their specific qualifications and experience.


• Give your practitioner a detailed and honest account of your medical history. They should have all the facts before recommending treatment. And this can help them to tailor a treatment plan for your individual wants and needs.


• Make sure you know exactly how much your procedure will be in advance. This includes the potential cost of follow-up appointments. And consider the cost of top-up procedures to maintain your results.


• Avoid any special deals or time pressure to commit to treatment immediately. After your initial consultation, go away and think things over. Take at least two weeks before deciding whether you want to go ahead with the procedure.


• Make sure you feel fully informed about the potential risks and complications of your procedure. You should also find out about your aftercare, and who to contact if you have any issues. You should be asked to give your full consent and sign a consent form for aesthetic treatment before going ahead.


• Finally, make sure your practitioner is a member of a professional association, such as the following.


• General Dental Council (GDC)
• General Medical Council (GMC)
• Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Professional Standards Authority (PSA)
• The Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP)
• British Association of Medical Aesthetic Nurses (BAMAN)
• British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM)
• Save Face