A recent BBC North West investigation has exposed an extensive trade of illegal teeth-whitening treatments - containing nearly nine times the legal professional limit of hydrogen peroxide.
The investigation uncovered unregulated practitioners administering high-strength bleaching agents in unregulated environments, such as car parks and private homes, using unregulated products that can result in severe harm to patients.
“The JCCP has expressed concern for several years now regarding the risks associated with the administration of teeth whitening procedures performed by non-registered GDC Dental practitioners who apply teeth-whitening products containing more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide,” Professor David Sines CBE, chair of the JCCP, said in a statement following the exposè.
“The JCCP is in discussion with the General Dental Council and with appropriate regulators in the United Kingdom with the aim of ensuring the implementation of tighter regulatory controls to protect members of the public.”
Who can administer teeth whitening treatments?
In the UK, only dentists and registered dental professionals can use teeth whitening products containing more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, and they must not use products containing more than 6% hydrogen peroxide.
The shocking exposé
Laboratory analysis of the teeth whitening treatments found that the products contained up to 53% hydrogen peroxide, which is nearly nine times the legal professional limit and 500 times the safe over-the-counter level.
Investigators acquired these teeth whitening gels from social media sellers and unlicensed beauticians, with some beauticians offering fraudulent qualifications, and “training courses” delivered via WhatsApp messages, encouraging participants to “build their own brand” using dangerously high concentrations of peroxide.
As part of the investigation, one BBC reporter was given whitening gels without any safety instructions or guidance. Another seller delivered kits in car parks, boasting of “insane profits” and advising the reporter to “practise on friends and family.”
The dangers of illegal teeth-whitening treatments
The BBC’s investigation went beyond exposing unregulated sellers and illegal treatments and uncovered testimonies of real-world harm.
Kellie Howson, a 54-year-old hospital worker from Lancaster, lost four teeth and suffered excruciating pain after undergoing an illegal whitening treatment at a beauty salon that only charged her £65.
“Not long into the treatment, my gums started to really hurt, and afterwards it just got worse and worse,” she said. “I was in agony. It destroyed my confidence, and I didn’t want to go out or see anyone.”
Following the teeth-whitening treatment, Kellie’s dentist confirmed that the procedure had resulted in irreversible damage. Leaving Kellie with no option but to receive multiple extractions, before paying tens of thousands of pounds for a long-term restorative process.
Practitioner’s responsibility
The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) has advised cosmetic and dental professionals to educate patients about the dangers of unregulated treatments, reinforcing the importance of only seeking whitening services from qualified dental practitioners registered with the GDC.
The UK Government has urged members of the public to report any concerns regarding illegal or unsafe teeth-whitening services to Citizens Advice or their local authority Trading Standards department.
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