Ben Atkins explains what recently exposed illegal tooth whitening practices mean for dentistry, and how the profession and industry can help.
A recent BBC investigation revealed the extent of illegal whitening treatments taking place across the UK – with gels containing more than 500 times the legal amount of bleaching agent frequently being administered by those who are not qualified to do so.
The findings of the investigation are terrifying but sadly unsurprising. Whitening gels at 53% peroxide aren’t aesthetic, they’re chemical assaults on living tissue. We see the aftermath: burned gingivae, pulpitis, enamel fracture and hypersensitivity so severe patients can’t drink cold water. These are preventable harms from products that should never be in unregulated hands.
Regulation exists to prevent adverse incidents such as this, but is clearly being ignored. Ensuring patients are dentally fit before whitening is a fundamental safeguard built into UK dental regulation.
What does the law say about whitening?
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