Landmark case

Caroline Sumpter brought the case against Dentawhite, who claimed their advanced laser tooth whitening technicians did not have to be dentists. Caroline, herself a beauty therapist, was sold the ‘Megawhite Teeth Whitening Licence’ believing she did not have to be a dentist to carry out the treatment.

After being informed this was not the case, Sumpter requested a refund, having been sold the kit under false pretences. When handing down the verdict, the judge in the case deemed the following services to be the practice of dentistry according to the GDC and the Dental Act of 1984 and refused grounds to appeal:

- Selling the packet
- Operator taking a shade guide
- Operator telling client to read the packet
- Operator taking client to a seat
- Operator giving laser goggles and then setting the time on the lamp and putting in front of the clients mouth
- Operator then removing the expelled mouth tray and goggles
- Operator then taking a post-treatment shade guide