Kerala High Court to Rule on Hair Transplant Authority Between Dermatologists and Dental Surgeons
The Kerala High Court is now poised to settle a significant medical dispute: who holds the legitimate authority to perform hair transplantation procedures—dermatologists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons? This contentious issue has escalated to judicial scrutiny, with the court actively seeking definitive instructions from the Dental Council of India (DCI) to resolve the professional jurisdictional conflict.
Court Proceedings and Key Petitioners
A bench led by Justice P M Manoj has taken up the matter, issuing formal notices to the central government, the National Medical Commission (NMC), and the Indian Dental Association (IDA). The petition, which has been adjourned to April 9 for further detailed consideration, was filed by Dr. Ruxana K from Palarivattom, Kochi, alongside three other practicing dermatologists. These petitioners are challenging specific guidelines and circulars issued by the DCI and IDA that pertain directly to the practice of hair transplantation and aesthetic or cosmetic surgery procedures.
Contested Guidelines and Professional Boundaries
The core of the dispute revolves around two critical documents. First, the DCI issued guidelines on December 6, 2022, explicitly stating that oral and maxillofacial surgeons are permitted to perform aesthetic procedures. Subsequently, the IDA reinforced this stance with a circular on January 1, 2025, advising all its members—with the notable exception of oral and maxillofacial surgeons—to refrain from conducting hair transplants and aesthetic surgeries.
In their legal challenge, the dermatologist petitioners have highlighted that the NMC has already established specific, authoritative guidelines for performing hair transplantation and aesthetic surgery. These NMC guidelines categorically define any procedure involving a skin incision for tissue removal—including follicular unit extraction (FUE) and donor strip excision—as a surgical procedure. According to the NMC, such surgeries must only be carried out by properly trained and licensed "registered medical practitioners" who possess the requisite qualifications and expertise.
Educational Scope and Professional Expertise
The petitioners further argued that oral and maxillofacial surgeons receive specialized training focused exclusively on the teeth, oral cavity, jaws, and facial structures. Their educational curriculum and professional scope do not encompass treatments involving skin or hair, which are distinct medical domains. Performing hair transplants, therefore, falls outside their legally defined and educationally sanctioned expertise, potentially compromising patient safety and procedural integrity.
This case underscores a broader debate over professional boundaries in cosmetic and aesthetic medicine, with significant implications for medical standards, patient care, and regulatory oversight in India's healthcare landscape.
