Dentists Not Qualified to Perform Hair Transplants, Aesthetic Procedures: Medical councils
Can Dentists Perform Aesthetic Surgeries?
Hyderabad: Following the response from the National Medical Commission (NMC), the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) has clarified that dentists, dental surgeons, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (MDS) do not possess the required qualifications to perform aesthetic procedures and hair transplants. According to the Council, dentists (including dental surgeons and Maxillofacial surgeons) do not have these specialities as a core topic in their curriculum. Therefore, they lack the formal surgical knowledge and training for the said procedures
The medical council issued a public notice after receiving a reply from the National Medical Commission (NMC) in this regard.
Seeking clarification on whether dentists can perform aesthetic surgeries, TGMC had written to the NMC. Accordingly, NMC on 13.06.2025 responded to the Council's query and clarified that qualifications to perform these procedures were explicitly mentioned in the Guideline on Aesthetic Surgery and Hair Transplant Procedures issued by the Ethics and Medical Education Board (EMRB) of NMC on 20.09.2022.
In the notice dated 20.09.2022, NMC had provided clarification regarding the qualification of medical professionals to perform hair transplantation and aesthetic surgeries.
Also Read: Can Dentists Perform Hair Transplant Surgeries? Now Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons move HC
Regarding Hair Transplantation, NMC had stated-
"The hair transplant should preferably be undertaken only by those who have surgical grooming like formal surgical training such as MCh/DNB Plastic surgery, MD/DNB Dermatology with adequate grooming in dermatological surgical procedures. It is also noted that the above-named specialities have Hair transplantation as a core topic in their curriculum."
Regarding Aesthetic Surgeries, the Commission mentioned-
"Aesthetic Procedures should be undertaken only by those RMPs who have adequate training to do these procedures as per their curriculum. So, curriculum of various specialties should be guiding principle for all RMP's while undertaking any procedure including aesthetics & Hair transplant procedures."
In these guidelines, the Apex Medical Commission had mentioned that "Aesthetic Procedures including Hair Transplant as with any other surgical procedure, may have complications and requires skills and training in appropriate patient selection, differential diagnoses and surgical techniques and appropriate post procedure care to optimize outcomes. It is suggested that anyone who wishes to perform these procedures should be adequately knowledgeable and trained and should ensure that they have adequate infrastructure and manpower to manage any issues that may arise due to procedure performed."
Further, NMC had back then clarified that Aesthetic Procedures including Hair Transplant are not an Emergency Surgery, and therefore, there is no case for allowing any untrained person to do it under the pretext of "Exceptional Circumstances".
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that back in 2022, the Dental Council of India (DCI) had held that Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons were qualified to perform hair transplant and aesthetic procedures. In this regard, DCI had issued a circular on 06.12.2022.
What Does DCI Circular dated 06.12.2022 say?
Issuing the guidelines for the practice of Aesthetic & Hair Transplant procedures for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, DCI back in 2022 mentioned that these procedures can be undertaken by Oral & Maxillofacial surgeons registered with any State Dental Council in India.
DCI had mentioned that Aesthetic Procedures "can be performed by Oral & Maxillofacial surgeons after adequate training as per the curriculum".
Further, the guidelines specified that "Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon should have an aesthetic back up with requisite resuscitate equipment and drugs. Preoperative clearances from a medical specialist as required must be obtained. There should be availability of adequate and well-equipped post-operative recovery room for patient monitoring and adequate record keeping."
Plea in Bombay High Court:
A group of dermatologists under the Dynamic Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Association challenged the DCI guidelines before the Bombay High Court, claiming that Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons were not 'qualified' to perform Aesthetic and Hair Transplant Surgery.
Filing a PIL, the association had prayed for a direction from the court to the concerned authorities, asking them to withdraw the December 6, 2022, guidelines. Further, the association had also sought an action against the dental practitioners, who were advertising to perform hair transplant procedures. Apart from this, the plea also sought a ban on such advertisements by dental practitioners and also urged the Court to set up a committee to monitor the fact that dental practitioners do not perform such surgeries.
Clarification from NMC:
Recently, seeking clarity on the matter, Telangana Medical Council wrote to the National Medical Commission (NMC). The Commission clarified that "Dental Council of India has issued its public notice DE-130(ARPM-General)-2022/97 dated 06.12.2022 without consulting EMRB, NMC."
The Apex Medical Commission requested TGMC to refer to the EMRB, NMC guidelines dated 20.09.2022 issued in this regard. "Also, you are requested to refer the EMRB, NMC guidelines bearing no. R-13014/18/2022-Fthics dated 20.09.2022 (available on NMC website) wherein qualifications of RMPs to perform such procedures is explicitly mentioned."
Referring to the NMC Guideline on Aesthetic Surgery and Hair Transplantation dated 20.09.2022, TGMC clarified, "In view of the above, the Telangana Medical Council hereby notifies to the General Public that Dentists (BDS)/ Dental Surgeons, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (MDS) do not have the aforesaid specilaities as core topic in their curriculum and as such they lack formal surgical knowledge and training so as to perform the aforesaid procedures."
Also Read: Can Dentists Perform Aesthetic Procedures? Here's What NMC, DCI Say
