Tooth whitening case rules against “illegal” technicians and in favour of dentists

Handing a patient a whitening tray is the practice of dentistry and therefore must be done by the dentist, the County Court has ruled.

The ruling was made after beauty therapist Caroline Sumpter brought a case against tooth whitening company Megawhite, which claimed its advanced laser tooth whitening technicians did not have to be dentists.

Chief executive of the BritishDental Health Foundation Dr NigelCarter OBE said, “It is embarrassingthat it has taken an individual to dowhat the GDC is failing to do andprotect the public. It should not beleft to individuals like MsSumptert

o highlight the illegality of toothwhitening technicians. The regulatorybody should be far more robustin their investigation process andprotect the public from illegal toothwhiteners.” Dr Stuart Johnston fromthe British Dental Association added:“This makes it perfectly clear, toothwhitening is the practice of dentistry.This ensures patient safety with thecorrect techniques and safe evidence-based products.”