Board denies category 3 elective facial cosmetic surgery permit for applicant, citing insufficient operative reports

The Dental Board of California voted Feb. 5 to deny a category 3 elective facial cosmetic surgery (EFCS) permit application from an applicant listed as 'ONDDS' after a credentialing committee review concluded the applicant had not demonstrated competency beyond Botox and facial fillers.

Jody Ortiz, chief of licensing and examination, summarized the EFCS committee’s review. The committee said the applicant previously held a limited category 2 permit for neurotoxins and fillers and had submitted additional documentation but did not provide the number and type of operative reports the committee requires to demonstrate competency in category 1 (hard-tissue) or category 2 procedures beyond injectables.

Tara Welch, board counsel, clarified the committee's finding: "The committee determined that there were insufficient reports to justify issuing either a category 1, a category 2, or a category 3 permit." The committee recommended denial of the category 3 application; the board considered three options (deny, grant a lesser category, or return to committee for more information) and moved to deny.

Dr. Steven Chan moved to support the committee's recommendation to deny; the motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call. Board members discussed that the applicant had previously held a limited category 2 permit confined to Botox and fillers and that the documentation did not show competency for additional invasive procedures.

The board's action follows the committee's statutory requirement that applicants seeking category 1 or category 3 authority provide sufficient operative reports demonstrating competency within a specified timeframe.