Dentists Not Qualified for Hair Transplants, Says NMC
Summary: The Telangana Medical Council (TGMC), backed by the National Medical Commission (NMC), has clarified that dentists, including oral and maxillofacial surgeons, are not qualified to perform aesthetic procedures or hair transplants. Despite earlier claims by the Dental Council of India (DCI), the NMC guidelines emphasize that only formally trained specialists such as plastic surgeons and dermatologists should conduct these complex procedures. This article outlines the ongoing regulatory clash, legal battle, and safety concerns surrounding this issue.
Can Dentists Perform Hair Transplants? NMC Says No
Did you know? Aesthetic surgeries like hair transplants aren’t just cosmetic; they require
- Precise surgical skills
- Clinical judgment
- Emergency preparedness
Yet in India, confusion has prevailed over who is qualified to perform them. In a move to protect patient safety, the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) has now firmly stated, dentists are not qualified to carry out these procedures, even if they are oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
Let’s break down what led to this clarification, the clash between India’s top medical bodies, and what it means for patients and practitioners alike.
TGMC Responds to NMC's Directive on Aesthetic Procedures
After receiving a formal response from the National Medical Commission (NMC) dated June 13, 2025, the TGMC issued a public notice stating that dentists, dental surgeons, and oral & maxillofacial surgeons (MDS) do not possess the academic qualifications or formal surgical training needed for aesthetic surgeries and hair transplants.
The reason? These subjects are not core components of the dental curriculum; hence, dental practitioners lack the clinical exposure and surgical grooming needed for such advanced procedures.
What Do the NMC Guidelines Actually Say?
The NMC guidelines, originally issued on September 20, 2022, by its Ethics and Medical Education Board (EMRB), laid down the qualifications required for professionals to conduct aesthetic surgeries and hair transplants.
For Hair Transplants
“Preferably undertaken only by those with surgical grooming like MCh/DRNB in Plastic Surgery or MD/DNB in Dermatology with training in dermatologic surgery.”
For Aesthetic Procedures
“Only professionals trained according to their curriculum should perform these. Any RMP must ensure they have core training in patient selection, diagnosis, surgical techniques, and post-procedure care.”
The guidelines also emphasised that hair transplants and aesthetic surgeries are not emergencies, so untrained individuals cannot justify performing them under ‘exceptional circumstances’.
DCI Guidelines Spark Legal Controversy
Contrary to NMC’s stand, the Dental Council of India (DCI) had previously released a circular on December 6, 2022, suggesting that:
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (OMFS) registered under any State Dental Council could perform these procedures.
- The procedures were allowed post-“adequate training” and provided the clinic was equipped with emergency backup systems and postoperative facilities.
This sparked a legal challenge by the Dynamic Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Association, who filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court. The plea asked the court to:
- Withdraw the DCI guidelines.
- Take action against dentists advertising such procedures.
- Ban such advertisements.
- Set up a monitoring committee to stop unqualified dentists from performing surgeries.
NMC Clarifies: DCI Guidelines Lack Validity
Responding to TGMC’s request for clarity, the NMC confirmed that:
- The DCI issued its circular without consulting the NMC’s EMRB.
- Only the EMRB guidelines (dated 20.09.2022) are valid and binding.
- Dental qualifications do not cover aesthetic surgery or hair transplant training in core modules.
As a result, the Telangana Medical Council has publicly warned the general public to avoid undergoing these procedures from dentists or oral/maxillofacial surgeons, as they are not equipped or trained to handle potential complications.
Conclusion: Patient Safety Over Professional Turf
This development draws a clear regulatory line: no matter the intent or additional training, dentists in India, whether BDS or MDS, are not qualified to perform aesthetic procedures or hair transplants, unless these are core components of their recognized curriculum.
For patients, this clarification helps safeguard them from unqualified practitioners. For practitioners, it reinforces the importance of scope-of-practice boundaries and the need for interdisciplinary cooperation.
Inputs from various media sources.
Dane
I am an MBBS graduate and a dedicated medical writer with a strong passion for deep research and psychology. I enjoy breaking down complex medical topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content, aiming to educate and inspire readers by exploring the fascinating connection between health, science, and the human mind.
