Dental Practice Rulings: Alcohol Mouthwash, Bone Grafts, Cosmetic Procedures, Zakat, and Wudu
Question
Is using a dental mouthwash with alcohol allowed?
For certain dental surgical procedures, animal products need to be used, like animal bone. Is that allowed? This may be sourced from cows or pigs.
Are dental cosmetic procedures allowed in Islam?
Botox
Dental veneers
Orthodontics for aesthetic reasons
If it’s not permissible to do a certain procedure but a patient wants it, is it wrong for us to do irrespective if the patient is in the wrong Islamically?
If a patient got dental work done at a dentist and, after a fact, states that he cannot pay the balance, can that same dentist make the payment on their behalf and count it as from their Zakat?
Does shaking hands with a patient, out of professional courtesy, invalidate one’s wudu if it’s of the opposite gender?
Part of dentistry involves doing head and neck exams. If that is done on the opposite gender, does that invalidate one’s wudu?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
Each issue will be addressed clearly and separately.
1) Dental Mouthwash Containing Alcohol
1. The Shari Context
Intoxicants are prohibited for consumption. Allah says:
“O you who believe, indeed intoxicants… are filth from the work of Shaytan, so avoid them.”
Surat al Ma’idah 5:90
The prohibition concerns drinking and intoxication.
2. Scholarly Discussion
The four madhahib prohibit consuming intoxicating substances. However, they distinguish between drinking alcohol and using a product externally or medically where it is not consumed as an intoxicant.
If alcohol is used as a solvent or preservative and not drunk for intoxication, the ruling differs from drinking khamr.
3. Application
If mouthwash contains alcohol:
- It is permissible to use it if it is not swallowed.
- If swallowed intentionally, it is impermissible.
- If alcohol-free alternatives are easily available and effective, they are preferable.
4. Relevant Usul Principle
الأصل في المعاملات الإباحة
The default ruling in worldly matters is permissibility
Unless a clear prohibition applies, use of medical products remains permissible, especially when not consumed for intoxication.
Final Ruling
Using dental mouthwash with alcohol is permissible if it is not swallowed. Alcohol-free options are preferable when available.
2) Animal Bone in Dental Surgery (Cow or Pig Source)
1. The Shari Context
Allah has prohibited certain animals, including pig:
“Forbidden to you is carrion, blood, the flesh of swine…”
Surat al Ma’idah 5:3
Medical treatment is generally permitted when needed.
2. Scholarly Discussion
If the bone material comes from a halal animal (such as cow) and is properly sourced, it is permissible.
If it comes from pig:
- The default ruling is prohibition.
- It may only be used if there is genuine medical necessity and no suitable halal alternative.
- Some scholars allow if the substance has undergone full chemical transformation (istihalah), but avoiding it when alternatives exist is safer.
3. Application
Cow-derived bone grafts are permissible.
Pig-derived grafts are prohibited unless:
- There is medical need.
- No effective halal alternative exists.
- The use is limited strictly to necessity.
4. Relevant Usul Principle
الضرورات تبيح المحظورات بقدرها
Necessities permit prohibited matters to the extent required
Prohibited materials may only be used when real necessity exists and only within limits.
Final Ruling
Cow-sourced bone grafts are permissible. Pig-derived materials are prohibited unless there is genuine medical necessity with no alternative.
3) Cosmetic Dental Procedures
Botox
If used for medical reasons (pain, spasms, dysfunction), it is permissible.
If used purely for beautification without need and involves unnecessary alteration or harm, it is not permissible.
Dental Veneers
If used to restore damaged, weak, or abnormal teeth, it is permissible.
If used purely for cosmetic perfection of healthy teeth involving irreversible alteration, it is at least disliked and may be impermissible depending on harm and intent.
Orthodontics for Aesthetic Reasons
If correcting functional problems, bite issues, hygiene problems, or noticeable deformity, it is permissible.
If purely minor cosmetic enhancement with no harm or deception involved, scholars differ. Many allow reasonable beautification that does not involve harm.
If a procedure is Islamically impermissible but the patient wants it:
If the procedure is clearly haram, it is not permissible to perform it, because this would be cooperation in sin.
If the matter falls under valid scholarly disagreement and can be justified as treatment or reasonable beautification, it is not automatically sinful.
Relevant Usul Principle
سد الذرائع
Blocking the means to harm
One must not facilitate actions that clearly lead to prohibited alteration or deception.
Final Ruling
Restorative and medically justified procedures are permissible. Pure beautification with unnecessary harmful alteration is generally not permissible. A dentist should not perform procedures that are clearly haram.
4) Paying a Patient’s Balance from Zakat
1. The Shari Context
Allah says:
“Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and the needy…”
Surat al Tawbah 9:60
Zakat must go to eligible recipients.
2. Scholarly Discussion
Zakat can be used to settle debts of someone who genuinely qualifies as poor or indebted and unable to pay.
Payment may be made directly to the creditor on behalf of the debtor, with proper intention.
3. Application
If the patient:
- Is genuinely poor or unable to pay.
- Qualifies as a zakat recipient.
Then the dentist may pay the debt with zakat intention.
If the patient is able but unwilling to pay, zakat cannot be used.
4. Relevant Usul Principle
الأصل براءة الذمة
The default is freedom from liability
A person is not considered deserving of zakat unless genuine inability is established.
Final Ruling
The dentist may count it as zakat only if the patient truly qualifies as a zakat recipient. Otherwise, it cannot be treated as zakat.
6) Head and Neck Exams on Opposite Gender and Wudu
The ruling follows the same discussion as above.
If no desire is present:
- Wudu remains valid according to Hanafi, Maliki, and Hanbali.
- It invalidates wudu according to Shafii.
Final Ruling
Head and neck examinations do not invalidate wudu according to Hanafi and according to Maliki and Hanbali if no desire exists. According to Shafii, direct skin contact invalidates wudu.
And Allah knows best.