CA DENTAL ASSN: Approves Oral Surgeons for Plastic Surgery

      The California Dental Association has approved a definition of "dentistry" that would allow oral surgeons to continue to p erform cosmetic surgery, the Sacramento Bee reports. The issue -- which has become a point of contention for the state Department of Consumer Affairs, the Attorney General's Office and the Legislative Counsel of California -- has led physicians to accuse oral surgeons of violating state laws governing plastic surgery. Oral surgeons typically hold a dental license, but not a medical license. The new definition, which was adopted from the American Dental Association, states that oral surgeons can operate on "hard and soft tissues in the entire facial region for injuries, diseases and 'aesthetic aspects.'" State agencies have stipulated that oral surgeons must restrict procedures to the mouth and jaw area: Cosmetic work on other parts of the face is prohibited. While the dental board professes to agree with the state agencies, critics argue that the board is not enforcing the regulations. Monday, oral surgeons will meet with State Sen. Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont), who charis a committee that oversees the state dental board. Figueroa demanded last week that the state dental board crack down on violators of the law (AP/Sacramento Bee, 11/22).