Iraqi Supreme Administrative Court overturns ruling allowing dentists to administer cosmetic injections

BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Supreme Administrative Court issued a ruling on Monday canceling a previous decision that allowed dentists to administer cosmetic injections, including fillers, Botox, mesotherapy, and other substances used in aesthetic procedures. The court emphasized that these practices are not within the scope of dental education and could potentially harm patients.

The ruling, led by Chief Justice Dr. Kareem Khamees Khasbak and a panel of judges, followed an appeal against a provisional order that temporarily permitted dentists to perform these procedures. The provisional order, issued by the Administrative Court in August 2024, had halted the implementation of a directive that banned dentists from administering cosmetic injections until a final decision was reached in the case.

According to the court, the appeal against the provisional ruling was justified, as the original decision failed to consider the potential harm to patients from unqualified practitioners administering cosmetic substances. “These materials are cosmetic rather than therapeutic and are not part of the dental curriculum,” the court stated, adding that such procedures should be limited to qualified specialists in the field.

The court further noted that it had previously issued a similar ruling in August 2024, canceling another order allowing dentists to perform these injections. The Administrative Court, the ruling stated, should have taken this precedent into account instead of repeatedly issuing contradictory decisions.