Dispute between dermatologists, dentists takes a legal turn in Kerala

A dispute between dermatologists and dentists over who is authorised to perform hair transplantation and aesthetic and cosmetic surgeries has taken a legal turn. The Kerala High Court is expected to hear a writ petition related to the issue soon.

The disagreement between the two came to the limelight when functionaries of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists (IADVL) came out with a public statement in March 2025 to highlight their concerns related to quackery. Dental surgeons objected to the reference against members of their community who practise cosmetology and dermatology, terming it an attempt to brand them as quacks.