GDC issues Warning over Tooth Whitening Procedures

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The UK’s dental regulator, the General Dental Council, has issued a warning against individuals and clinics that offer whitening treatments. According to the GDC, only trained dental professionals should be able to offer this service.

Tooth whitening has become very popular in recent years and the number of clinics and individuals offering the service has increased rapidly. However, there is currently no law preventing untrained people from providing the service and as a result the GDC feels that the public are at risk. According to representatives from the GDC, tooth whitening is a dental procedure and should therefore only be offered by dental professionals who are registered with the GDC.

Evlynne Gilvarry, Chief Executive and Registrar at the GDC, said that tooth whitening is no “trivial matter” and claimed that there was a real risk of harm to members of the public if whitening treatments continue to be offered by untrained professionals. Tooth whitening is considered a very safe treatment when carried out by a trained professional, but there are risks associated with the procedure and for this reason, the GDC feels that it is irresponsible for the service to be unregulated.

The GDC’s wishes are also supported by the public and in a poll commissioned by the council last year, 86 percent of participants said that they agreed that tooth whitening should only be offered by trained, registered professionals.

 

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August 19th, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Suzanne edge Says :

I am renting a room in my chiropody surgery and have had an enquiry from someone who wants to do teeth whitening, what qualifications does she need? I would be grateful if you could let me know.

Thanks,

Suzanne