Illegal tooth whitening prosecution

06 February 2017
Volume 31 · Issue 6

A woman from Penge, South London has been given a two year conditional discharge after pleading guilty to illegal tooth whitening after a prosecution by the General Dental Council (GDC).

Carly Maunsell entered a guilty plea for a charge under the Dentists Act, during an appearance at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 27, 2017. She was sentenced to a two year conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge as well as a contribution to the GDC costs of £1,200.

This relates to an offence recorded on August 14, 2016, where Ms Maunsell – despite not being a registered dental professional nor with any training – offered to provide tooth whitening at the So Be Beauty Salon on Central Parade in Penge. The GDC decided to investigate after three warning letters to the salon were ignored and services continued to be illegally provided.

Victoria Sheppard-Jones, interim head of illegal practice at the GDC, said, “The latest successful prosecution shows that we are continuing to take action when necessary to protect the public from illegal tooth whitening. Ms Maunsell had ample warning that what she was doing was illegal – and we are glad that the sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence.

“Anyone who wants to access dental services should check our online register – and ensure that the individual or organisation offering them has the legal right to do so.”