Elective Cosmetic Surgery Permits – Licensed Dentists

Business and Professions Code, Section 1638.1, states that a dentist shall possess a current license in good standing and an elective facial cosmetic surgery permit to perform elective facial cosmetic surgical procedures authorized by this section.

Applying for an Elective Cosmetic Surgery Permit

Categories

The Dental Board (Board) may issue an Elective Facial Cosmetic Surgery Permit to perform one of the following categories of elective facial cosmetic surgical procedures:

  1. Cosmetic contouring of the osteocartilaginous facial structure, which may include, but is not limited to, rhinoplasty and otoplasty (Category I).
  2. Cosmetic contouring or rejuvenation of the facial soft tissue, which may include, but is not limited to, facelift, blepharoplasty, facial skin resurfacing, or lip augmentation (Category II).
  3. Procedures under both paragraphs (1) and (2).

Application Requirements

A licensee who desires to perform elective facial cosmetic surgery shall apply to the board on an application form prescribed by the board and submit all the following:

  1. A completed application form.
  2. Submit proof of successful completion of an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
  3. Submit proof that the licensee has satisfied all the criteria specified in pathway (A) or (B):
  4. Submit proof that the licensee is on active status on the staff of a general acute care hospital and maintains the necessary privileges based on the bylaws of the hospital to maintain that status.
  5. Submit a non–refundable application fee of $850.00.

  6. Submit documentation of operative reports from residency training or proctored surgical procedures performed at minimum in the role of surgical first assistant within five years from the date of application for each category of permit set forth in categories I and/or II or both for which the licensee seeks a permit.

    NOTE: If the licensee seeks a permit set forth in both categories, the licensee shall submit 10 operative reports for each category specified in categories I and/or II above.

    Documentation, such as patient records with identifying information shall be redacted prior to submission to the Board. Patient records submitted to the board pursuant to this paragraph shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed pursuant to any state law, including, but not limited to, the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of the Government Code), except for disclosure pursuant to a lawfully issued subpoena or a written request from a government agency responsible for either enforcement of civil or criminal laws or the professional licensing of individuals that is conducting an investigation about the applicant.

    Each operative report shall indicate all the following:

    1. Name of the licensee.
    2. Category of procedure and specific type of procedure performed.
    3. Date of the procedure.
    4. The role in which the licensee participated in the procedure.
    5. Documentation showing the surgical privileges the licensee possesses at any licensed general acute care hospital and any licensed outpatient surgical facility in this state.

The Board recommends that the applicant choose a pathway by which the application is being made.

Pathway A: The requirements for an Elective Facial Cosmetic Surgery Permit include but may not be limited to submitting the following documentation.

  1. Submit proof the licensee is certified, or is a candidate for certification, by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Submit A letter from the program director of the accredited residency program, or from the director of a post residency fellowship program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, stating that the licensee has the education, training, and competence necessary to perform the surgical procedures set forth in category I and/or II or both that the licensee has notified the board the licensee intends to perform.
  2. Submit documentation of operative reports as described in Application Requirements number 6.
  3. A sample Index of Operative report is available. Submitting the operative reports in an organized way will ensure the application process moves along quickly.

Pathway B: The requirements for an Elective Facial Cosmetic Surgery Permit include, but may not be limited to submitting the following documentation:

  1. 1. Submit proof the licensee has been granted privileges by the medical staff at a licensed general acute care hospital to perform the surgical procedures set forth in categories I and/or II or both at that hospital.
  2. Submit documentation of operative reports as described in Application Requirements number 6.
  3. A sample Index of Operative report is available. Submitting the operative reports in an organized way will ensure the application process moves along quickly.

Renewing your Permit

An Elective Facial Cosmetic Surgery Permit issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for a period of two years and must be renewed by the permitholder at the time the dentist license is renewed.

PERMIT HOLDERS HOLDING A LIMITED ELECTIVE FACIAL COSMETIC SURGERY PERMIT AND WANTING TO UPDATE PRIVILEGES TO UNLIMITED.

The requirements to update a limited Elective Facial Cosmetic Surgery Permit to an unlimited permit include, but may not be limited to submitting the following documentation:

  1. A completed online BreEZE application.
  2. Submit 24 hours of approved courses of study related to elective cosmetic surgery as a condition of renewal of a permit. These courses of study shall be credited toward the total continuing education hours required by the board.
  3. Submit documentation of 10 operative reports as described in Application Requirements number 6.
  4. A sample Index of Operative report is available. Submitting the operative reports in an organized way will ensure the application process moves along quickly.
  5. Submit a non–refundable application fee of $800.00.

If the Committee grants a new unlimited permit, the permit holder's prior limited permit number will be cancelled and a new permit number will be issued.

For more information, call (916) 263–2300 or send a message to the Board