See a dentist for whitening
As changes to an EU Directive come into force today in the UK (October 31 2012), the General Dental Council (GDC), is reminding patients to see a dentist first if they are considering tooth whitening treatment.
The GDC regards tooth whitening as the practice of dentistry and it must only be carried out by a registered dentist or a dental hygienist or dental therapist on the prescription of a dentist.
The amendments to the EU Council Directive (76/768/EEC) affect the strength of chemicals used in tooth whitening products. They do not change the position of who can carry out tooth whitening lawfully. The GDC will continue to prosecute individuals who carry out tooth whitening illegally under the Dentists’ Act 1984.
The chief executive and registrar of the GDC, Evlynne Gilvarry, said:
“Tooth whitening undertaken by untrained and unregulated individuals carries significant risks. The only safe option is to consult a GDC-registered dentist. We have successfully prosecuted individuals for providing this treatment unlawfully and we will not hesitate to prosecute in future where there is evidence of unlawful practice.”
Patient advice
The GDC has a patient leaflet available online (www.gdc-uk.org ) and in print. It includes a useful list of questions for anyone considering tooth whitening.
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