NDC clarifies dental procedures BDS graduates and MDS specialists can perform

The National Dental Commission has clarified that BDS graduates can perform routine dental procedures, while complex surgeries must be restricted to MDS specialists. It has also directed dentists to avoid unethical social media promotions, patient testimonials and misleading advertisements.

Hyderabad: In a move to curb unqualified persons from attempting to conduct dental procedures and maintain standards in dental health care, the National Dental Commission (NDC) has drawn a strict regulatory line separating general dental practice from specialist procedures.

The Ethics and Dental Registration Board (EDRB) of the NDC in a recent advisory has made it clear that a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree does not automatically grant practitioners the license to perform complex dental surgeries.

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The EDRB-NDC made it clear that the structured curricula of BDS and Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) programs clearly define the abilities each tier of dentist is trained to perform.

Under the guidelines, routine procedures such as standard dental fillings, scaling, uncomplicated tooth extractions, basic root canals, and basic orthodontic treatments, fall safely within the operational domain of competent BDS graduates.

However, complex clinical interventions including advanced dental implants, impacted wisdom tooth surgeries, corrective jaw (orthognathic) procedures, and advanced periodontal surgeries, must be strictly restricted to formally trained MDS specialists.

Central Council Member of Indian Dental Association (IDA), representing Telangana State branch, Dr Ala Srikanth from Hyderabad pointed out that general dentists seeking to expand their clinical boundaries must complete recognized, accredited additional training rather than learning on the job.

The NDC has also directed all State Dental Councils to issue immediate public notices and local advisories within their jurisdictions. State authorities have been asked to monitor compliance and cracking down on unauthorized procedures that compromise patient welfare.

Apart from this recently, the NDC also issued a separate strict advisory to crack down on unethical social media promotion and advertising by registered dentists. The NDC has directed dental practitioners to avoid live-streaming or recording dental consultations and surgical procedures on reels and stories. It has also directed dentists to avoid publishing patient testimonials and stop making misleading advertisements about themselves.

Role dentists with BDS qualification:

• Dental fillings, scaling, uncomplicated tooth extractions, basic root canals, and basic orthodontic treatments
• Role of dentists with MDS specialists:
• Complex clinical interventions including advanced dental implants, impacted wisdom tooth surgeries, corrective jaw (orthognathic) procedures, and advanced periodontal surgeries.

Dentists banned from:

• Live-streaming/recording dental consultations/ surgical procedures on reels and stories.
• Publishing patient testimonials on clinic websites or social media.
• Posting before-and-after photographs such as smile makeovers, aligner results, or implant outcomes.
• Making misleading therapeutic claims promising ‘guaranteed’, ‘permanent’, or ‘100 percent painless’ treatments.
• Self-aggrandizing publicity and boasting about being the ‘best’ or ‘No. 1’
• Displaying large commercial signboards/personal photographs on letterheads.