AADA fights unsafe scope expansions and misleading advertising

In 2025, the Academy took on several scope expansion and truth-in-advertising bills in partnership with state dermatology and medical societies. The AADA advocates for a physician-led, team-based approach to care that ensures the safety and best outcomes for each patient. We fight against state legislation that weakens the quality and safety of specialty care through scope expansions for physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners, and other non-physicians that allow them to practice independently and advertise themselves as skin experts.

Here are some of our wins in 2025:

Truth in advertising: Massachusetts

In July, the AADA worked with the Massachusetts Academy of Dermatology to support three health care transparency bills. The legislation, which will be carried over to the 2026 state legislative session, would limit the use of medical specialty titles in advertisements and clinical settings to physicians. The bills would also require physicians and non-physician clinicians to disclose in advertising and through photo identification their name, the type of state-issued license they hold, and their license expiration.

Scope of practice: Oregon

The AADA joined four other physician organizations and successfully convinced the Oregon Board of Dentistry to oppose allowing dental hygienists to administer botulinum toxins to treat conditions that are within the oral and maxillofacial region.

The proposal would have added this procedure to a rule that currently governs “additional functions” that dental hygienists are permitted to perform, such as teeth whitening, applying fluoride varnishes, and placing or removing periodontal dressings.

Scope of practice: Wisconsin

The AADA urged the Wisconsin Senate to oppose a bill that would authorize PA independent practice after 7,680 hours of collaborative practice and allow PAs to use the “physician associate” title. The AADA joined the Wisconsin Dermatological Society, the Wisconsin Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and other medical organizations in opposition of the bill. This issue will be carried over to the 2026 state legislative session.

Learn more about our scope of practice advocacy efforts.