New Delhi: The Union Minister of State for Health, Smt Anupriya Patel, has clarified the eligibility of dentists, specifically Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, to perform certain aesthetic procedures. She informed the Rajya Sabha that OMFS trained under the Dental Council of India’s MDS Course Regulations are permitted to carry out aesthetic surgical procedures and select hair-restoration procedures strictly limited to the cranio-maxillofacial region.
Response to Parliamentary Questions
The clarification was given while responding to questions raised by Rajya Sabha member Shri Vivek K Tankha. He sought details on whether the Dental Council of India permits OMFS to perform aesthetic dermatology procedures, whether such permissions exceed the Council’s statutory mandate, and whether there is any overlap or conflict with the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act.
Scope of OMFS Training Explained
Minister Patel explained that OMFS specialists receive extensive and structured training as part of their approved postgraduate curriculum under the Dental Council of India. Their professional domain, she said, is clearly defined and distinct from dermatology and general medicine.
No Conflict Between Regulatory Bodies
Addressing concerns of regulatory overlap, the Minister stated that the scopes of the Dental Council of India and the National Medical Commission are complementary rather than conflicting. According to her, both bodies function within their respective mandates while ensuring professional accountability and patient safety.
Emphasis on Inter-Regulatory Coordination
The Government, she added, promotes coordination among statutory regulatory bodies. Such coordination is aimed at ensuring regulatory clarity, safeguarding public interest, and maintaining the integrity of professions governed by different councils.
NMC’s Stand on Aesthetic Procedures
Referring to earlier disclosures, the Minister noted that the National Medical Commission has not received complaints about unqualified or unregistered persons performing aesthetic dermatology or laser treatments. She highlighted that the Commission has already issued detailed guidelines to uphold ethical practices and patient safety.
Guidelines on Hair Transplant and Aesthetic Surgery
The National Medical Commission has clarified that hair transplantation and aesthetic surgeries should be undertaken only by registered medical practitioners with adequate training as per their curriculum. The Commission emphasized that proper skills, infrastructure, and post-procedure care are essential due to the possibility of complications.
Patient Safety as Central Priority
The Minister reiterated that aesthetic procedures, including hair transplantation, are not emergency surgeries. Therefore, there is no justification for allowing untrained individuals to perform them under any exceptional circumstances, reaffirming that patient safety remains the government’s primary concern.
