Campaign against illegal tooth whitening

Over recent years, the popularity of chemical tooth whitening has escalated. It is a safe, simple and cost effective way to improve the whiteness of your smile without the removal of tooth enamel when carried out within a dental environment. Not everyone however, is a good candidate for the tooth whitening procedure. It is not effective if you have crowns, bridges or fillings at the front of your mouth and you should be declared dentally healthy prior to treatment commencing.

As the law currently stands, only a General Dental Council (GDC) registered dentist, or dental hygienist/therapist (with a prescription from a dentist) can carry out tooth whitening as it is considered to be an act of dentistry in accordance with The Dentists Act 1984.

The chemical of choice for tooth whitening is hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. In October 2012, EU legislation was amended to allow up to 6% hydrogen peroxide (or products breaking down to 6%) to be used for tooth whitening within the confines of the dental profession.

Here is where the problem lies. In 2007, the House of Lords agreed tooth whitening products were to be licensed as a cosmetic. No changes to the laws surrounding the procedure were considered. This was grossly misinterpreted by the cosmetic and beauty industry and the unregulated "tooth whitening technician" was born.

A multi million pound illegal tooth whitening industry has evolved which permits anyone from the street to attend a one day course and become "certified". This unregulated and illegal practice has become a risk to public safety with incidences of people attending dental practices with chemical burns becoming a common occurrence across the country.

Many tooth whitening technicians claim they are working within the law as they are using a chemical called sodium perborate. This chemical breaks down to up to 35% hydrogen peroxide and has been linked to fertility problems. The EU are currently working on legislation to ban this product in the beauty industry.

The dental profession has united to raise awareness of illegal tooth whitening through a Facebook page https://en-gb.facebook.com/StampOutIllegalToothWhitening?group_id=0&filter=1 Here people can discuss concerns, receive advice and find out how to report illegal tooth whitening in their area.

If you are concerned that there is an illegal tooth whitening technician practising near you, we encourage you to report your concerns to the illegal practice department at the General Dental Council and your local trading standards office.

http://www.gdc-uk.org/Membersofpublic/Illegalpractice/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/2263/contents/made

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/24

If you would like to find out more about the tooth whitening treatment at Wessington Way, please click here or the reception team will happily answer any of your queries. Remember, if you are a Wessington Way Dental Practice member, you will benefit from a 20% discount on this treatment.

Members' only special offer now on until 30th April 2013: Book in for tooth whitening with Richard, Maxine or Kay and receive an additional £30 off! Please contact reception to make an appointment.

Book now for whiter teeth in time for the summer months!