ISSUE OVERVIEW

Preserving Patient Safety

Dental surgeons are pushing unnecessary legislation in states across the nation that would allow them to perform complex cosmetic plastic surgery.

These proposals put safety at risk -- placing profits ahead of patients.

Simply put, dental surgeons do not have the medical training that board-certified plastic surgeons have. They are trained for surgery of the mouth or lower jaw, not for delicate cosmetic surgeries.

Board-certified plastic surgeons complete a minimum of five years of clinical surgical education, including specialized plastic surgery training. This is in addition to four years of medical school. Dental surgeons receive just 18 months of general surgical training, and don't go to medical school.

Dental surgeons are essentially asking elected officials to substitute legislation for education. It's just bad medicine.

You can help stop this type of legislation from becoming law. To find out how, go to the map and click on your state to see what you can do to prevent further endangering patient safety.

And if you are a patient considering plastic surgery ­- find board certified plastic surgeons near you so you can benefit from their extensive and specialized medical training.