Legal Checklist Before Dental Work or Surgery in Brazil

Before paying any deposit to a clinic in Brazil, there are seven things to check: who the professional is and whether they are registered in the specialty; whether the clinic is licensed; whether the quote and the contract are in writing, in your language, stating what is and is not included; the informed consent form; the visa rule for the length of your treatment; insurance and how you will pay; and who will look after you once you are back home. This checklist covers each point from a legal standpoint — it is not a substitute for the assessment of a healthcare professional.

1. Who will treat you

Every doctor needs an active registration with a Regional Medical Council (CRM) and every dentist with a Regional Dental Council (CRO). A specialty is a separate registration: in medicine, the RQE (Specialist Qualification Registration); in dentistry, the specialty registered with the CRO. “Aesthetic surgeon” and “cosmetic dentist” are not recognised titles. The clinic needs a health licence and an entry in the national registry of health establishments (CNES); hospitals may hold accreditation (ONA or JCI). The step-by-step verification is in How to Verify a Brazilian Dentist, Surgeon or Clinic Before You Travel.

2. The remote assessment

Video consultations are allowed in Brazil both in medicine (Law 14,510/2022 and Federal Medical Council Resolution 2,314/2022) and in dentistry (Federal Dental Council Resolution 278/2025, which requires prior consent and information about the limits of remote care). A quote based on photos and X-rays, however, is provisional: the plan can change at the in-person examination. Ask in writing what happens to your deposit if the plan changes or if the examination rules the procedure out.

3. A written quote and contract

Everything promised in conversation must be on paper: procedures, materials (brand and model of implants and prostheses), number of sessions, what is included (tests, anaesthesia, hospital, medication, follow-up visits) and what is not, warranty, revision policy, who pays to correct a complication, and cancellation rules. Contracts with a non-resident patient may be priced in foreign currency (Law 14,286/2021, article 13, II). The invoice (nota fiscal) must be issued in your name, with your CPF number. The essential clauses are in Brazilian Clinic Contract: 15 Clauses It Must Include.

4. The informed consent form

Read it before the day of the procedure, in your language or with an interpreter. It should describe risks, alternatives and limitations. The form proves you were informed; it is not a waiver of your rights and does not authorise errors in execution.

5. Traceability of implants and prostheses

Dental implants, breast implants and other devices must be registered with ANVISA (Brazil’s health regulator) and be traceable. Insist on the implant label or card showing manufacturer, model, batch and registration number, and keep it with your records. Without it, a future replacement at home becomes much harder.

6. Visa and length of stay

For treatment lasting up to 90 days, most patients enter as visitors — visa-free or on a visitor visa (including the e-Visa required for US, Canadian and Australian citizens), depending on nationality. Longer treatment has its own visa, the VITEM II, which also covers a companion. In every case, your recovery period must fit within your permitted stay, and your return flight must respect the professional’s clearance. Details in Brazil Medical Treatment Visa (VITEM II) and e-Visa: 2026 Guide.

7. Money and payment

International cards are accepted at most clinics. Pix, Brazil’s instant payment system, generally requires an account at a Brazilian institution. Cash above US$10,000 (or the equivalent) must be declared on entry and exit (e-DBV). Avoid paying the full amount before treatment starts: tie payments to the stages of treatment. Keep every receipt.

8. Insurance

Standard travel insurance normally excludes elective treatment and any complications arising from it. Specific complication insurance for procedures abroad exists; read the policy and confirm what is covered in Brazil. For the VITEM II, the consulate may require insurance valid in Brazil, including repatriation.

9. CPF

The CPF is the Brazilian taxpayer identification number. It is requested for invoices, contracts and the gov.br portal, and can be obtained abroad through the consular network before you travel. See Setting Up a Company in Brazil as a Foreigner: CPF, CNPJ and the Resident Representative.

10. The plan for after you return

Agree in writing who will answer your questions after the trip, through which channel and within what time, and whether follow-up video consultations are included. Ask for a medical or dental report in English, the prescriptions and a letter about any medication prescribed — some countries require documentation to bring medicines in. Before travelling, identify a professional at home willing to handle your aftercare.

11. Documents to take home

Signed contract and quote; invoice; informed consent form; complete records and imaging (digital files); traceability labels for implants and prostheses; discharge report and prescriptions; your own dated before-and-after photos; proof of payment.

12. Warning signs

• Promises of results or “guaranteed success”.
• Packages that bundle hotels, tours and an “agent” earning a commission — Brazilian medical and dental ethics prohibit paying for patient referrals.
• Discounts for paying everything up front.
• No contract, no invoice or no written consent form.
• A professional without active registration or without the specialty on record.
• Surgery outside a hospital or a licensed clinic.

This article is not a medical or dental assessment. The office does not recommend, technically evaluate or have any relationship with clinics, hospitals or healthcare professionals.

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Sources: Law 14,510/2022 · CFM Resolution 2,314/2022 · CFO Resolution 278/2025 · Law 14,286/2021, article 13 · Doctor search, Federal Medical Council · Federal Dental Council · Electronic declaration of goods and currency (e-DBV) · CPF for residents abroad, Receita Federal.