Bichectomy procedure: a discussion on the ethical and legal aspects in odontology

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Bichectomy consists of removing part of a fat structure in the region of the cheeks, and it recently gained popularity in the field of odontology, which began to widely perform the procedure, with predominantly aesthetic demands and, with that, doubts and uncertainties arose with respect to its ethical and legal aspects. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to seek national laws, as well as normative and resolutions issued by professional councils, aiming to address such controversies, enlightening professionals to the legitimacy of the procedure. RESULTS: Since 1978, the Federal Councils of Medicine and Dentistry have issued resolutions to determine thresholds for professional performance, which particularly focused on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology because it is the closest clinical dental specialty of medical practice. Over time, these Councils have been updating these resolutions, considering the technical and scientific advances of the area, but all the resolutions analyzed were unanimous in affirming that the accomplishment of bichectomy with a strictly aesthetic purpose is a medical attribution. CONCLUSION: Subsequently, based on the documents currently in force, it is verified that the dental surgeon who is willing to perform bichectomy surgery for aesthetic purposes will be incur administrative infractions and, consequently, such interpretations can be seen in other legal areas (civil and criminal).

Keywords

• odontology
• legal odontology
• aesthetics
• plastic surgery
• medical legislation
• odontology legislation