Dentists, however, argue that their in-depth knowledge of oral and facial anatomy, including the muscles responsible for facial expressions, have equipped them to safely administer Botox injections.
Published Nov 28, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 28, 2024 | 7:00 AM
The Delhi Medical Council (DMC) said dentists are not qualified to perform aesthetic procedures like Botox or acne treatment in response to a query raised under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The Council further asserted that an MBBS degree and DMC registration were required to practice allopathy in Delhi.
The RTI application, filed on 30 October 2024, sought clarification on dentists’ eligibility to conduct aesthetic procedures.
“Based on the records available in this office, it is informed that dentist(s) are not qualified to perform medical procedures like Botox, treating acne, etc.,” the DMC replied on 20 November.
The Council added that only individuals with recognised medical qualifications under the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act and registered with the DMC could practice modern scientific medicine (allopathy) in Delhi.
Violations of the rule might lead to prosecution under Section 27 of the Delhi Medical Council Act, 1997, which prescribed up to three years of rigorous imprisonment, a fine of ₹20,000, or both for falsely assuming the role of a medical practitioner.
Highlighting the issue on X (formerly Twitter) United Doctors’ Front Association President Dr Lakshya Mittal said many were performing aesthetic procedures by misleading people on social media.
RTI reply from Delhi Medical Council #DMC confirms dentists are not qualified to perform aesthetic procedures like Botox or acne treatment.
Yet, many continue to do so, misleading patients through social media.If any such influencer comes across, please file a complaint with… pic.twitter.com/7XgxCcabAt
— DR.LAKSHYA MITTAL (@drlakshyamittal) November 25, 2024
Dentists argued that their in-depth knowledge of oral and facial anatomy, including the muscles responsible for facial expressions, have equipped them to safely administer Botox injections.
“Many dentists undergo specialised training and certification to enhance their proficiency in Botox applications. This training typically includes dosage determination, precise injection techniques, and managing potential risks or complications,” a dentist told South First.
Dentists administer Botox for cosmetic purposes, such as:
Beyond aesthetics, Botox serves therapeutic roles in dentistry, including:
India has been witnessing an upswing in the use of lasers in dentistry, with many dental clinics incorporating laser-assisted procedures.
Laser dentistry is being used for a variety of dental treatments, including gum surgery, periodontal therapy, teeth whitening, and oral surgical procedures.
However, this trend has extended beyond dentistry, with dentists now engaging in dermatological procedures like laser surgery for cosmetic purposes.
“In Hyderabad, most of the hair transplant surgeries are now performed by dentists,” alleged Dr Rajetha Damisetty, dermatologist and founder of Dr Rajetha’s Mohana Skin and Hair Clinic. She emphasised the deviation from the established practice of only practitioners performing procedures for which they were trained.
“While I specialise in various laser treatments, my expertise is limited to skin-related procedures. I lack the training to perform procedures inside the mouth. Yet dentists are performing cosmetic surgeries,” Dr Damisetty said.
The proliferation of these practices on social media has been posing a significant challenge. Dr Damisetty revealed that the Telangana State Medical Council has issued notices to 18 individuals out of the total 53 complaints submitted regarding unqualified practitioners.
Delhi-based health activist Dr Dhruv Chauhan has raised concerns over the proliferation of short-term diploma courses in cosmetics, aesthetics, and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy.
These programmes, often lasting only six months, were enabling individuals —including non-medical professionals such as salon workers — to perform invasive procedures on patients.
“This is a serious issue because such individuals lack the comprehensive clinical knowledge and training required to manage complications or provide holistic patient care.
“A dermatologist spends over a decade in education and training to master these procedures. It is highly problematic that someone with a six-month diploma is allowed to perform similar work, often with no understanding of the underlying clinical science,” Dr Chauhan said.
He also highlighted that professionals from unrelated fields, such as dentists (BDS graduates), were undergoing such courses and performing PRP and cosmetic procedures that fall outside their realm of expertise.
“These procedures are not covered in their core curriculum, yet they can practice due to the availability of certification courses. Allowing such practices undermines the credibility of dermatology as a specialised field,” he said.
He warned that this trend would devalue the rigorous education dermatologists undergo, reducing it to superficial knowledge.
“By this logic, anyone — even a compounder — could claim to be a dermatologist simply by gaining superficial knowledge of medications and procedures. This is fundamentally different from making accurate diagnoses and providing proper treatment,” he added.
Dr Chauhan blamed the government and the NMC for failing to address the issue effectively.
Quacks and underqualified individuals posing as dermatologists were continuing to operate unchecked, jeopardising patient safety and the integrity of the profession.
“This lack of regulatory oversight is a clear failure of the administration, the government, and the NMC. Their inaction has compromised dermatology as a field and reflects a broader neglect of medical education standards in the country,” he said.
In June 2024, a well-known Telugu film actor sought a routine beauty-enhancing procedure at a clinic in Hyderabad’s Kukatpally Housing Board Colony, an area bustling with hospitals, dental clinics, and salons.
The actor, in her late 30s, chose the “Layers Skin and Hair Clinic,” located on the third floor of a four-storey building.
Opting for Botox to smoothen wrinkles and rejuvenate her appearance, she instead faced painful swelling within days, leaving her distressed.
Seeking answers, she approached the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC). An investigation that followed revealed that the procedure was conducted by a dentist, not a qualified dermatologist.
The dentist’s act was a breach of trust and medical ethics. TGMC swiftly acted, filing cases under Section 34 of the NMC regulations and shutting down the clinic.
However, this incident was only one among many, underscoring a troubling trend of unqualified individuals performing complex cosmetic procedures, endangering public health.
On 12 February 2024, the Telangana State Medical Council (TSMC) issued notices to 18 cosmetic surgery practitioners, requiring them to submit educational qualifications amid suspicions of unqualified practice in dermatology.
The move followed a report from the Telangana chapter of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists & Leprologists (IADVL), revealing a surge in practitioners ranging from dentists to BAMS, BHMS, physiotherapists, and even unqualified individuals performing advanced cosmetic procedures, like laser treatments and chemical peels.
These individuals were also found prescribing high-risk Schedule H drugs, including steroids and immunosuppressants like methotrexate and tofacitinib, leading to severe health risks and, in extreme cases, fatalities.
The TSMC notice warned practitioners to personally submit their educational qualification certificates within three days or face serious consequences under prevailing rules.
The TGMC intensified its efforts the same month and inspected 40 cosmetology centres in Hyderabad’s prominent areas, including Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Madhapur, Hitech City, Kukatpally, and Miyapur.
The inspection identified three fake doctors were identified, and FIRs were filed against them. It also found 20 centres operating without qualified dermatologists or plastic surgeons, as well as without permission from the District Registration Authority.
It also revealed that Ayurvedic and homoeopathic practitioners were illegally performing laser treatments, violating their scope of qualifications.
According to TGMC Vice Chairman Dr Gundagani Srinivas, only doctors with specialised medical education were permitted to perform procedures such as Botox, laser therapy, PRP therapy, hair transplants, dermatology treatments, and plastic surgery.
“Under sections 34 and 54 of the NMC Act, prescribing Botox or similar drugs without an MBBS degree is punishable by imprisonment of up to one year or fines. Such procedures must only be carried out by qualified MD dermatologists or plastic surgeons. We’ve already addressed these violations with public notifications and legal action,” Dr Srinivas told South First.
The clampdown served as a crucial step in regulating cosmetic procedures and ensuring patient safety, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of medical standards.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
