Question for dentists please

lou49

Visited a very large Sainsbury's in a retail centre (with Vue cinema, restaurants etc) today. Outside on the entrance concourse was a sort of semi screened off stand where there was an offer on Sonic tooth whitening - 'Laser White Teeth At The Speed of Light' in under an hour. Had my teeth whitened about seven years ago, was a bit disappointed tbh, but was thinking that I could do with having a treatment again. Anyone heard of this particular one?
TIA.

Toothsmith

If they don't know the difference between sonic and light, then they're obviously not the sharpest knives in the drawer!

Just another illegal 'beauty salon' whitening boutique.

Avoid.

scotsbob

Toothsmith wrote: »

If they don't know the difference between sonic and light, then they're obviously not the sharpest knives in the drawer!

Just another illegal 'beauty salon' whitening boutique.

Avoid.

Why is it illegal? Just curious.

Toothsmith

Providing dental services and not being a dentist is illegal.

To do anything in the mouth, you need to be qualified and registered with the General Dental Council.

There is a loophole where these places claim they are not providing dentistry but a cosmetic service.

Most of these whitening booths have someone in them who have done less than a weekend in 'training'.

There is a huge thread on tooth whitening here.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=164595

scotsbob

Thanks for that.

I found it strange they would be allowed to operate in reputable shopping malls if they were breaking the law. From what you say, they aren't. Maybe you should edit your previous post.

Is there an exemption for doctors to do anything in the mouth or are they automatically registered with the Dental Council?

Toothsmith

GDCs position on tooth whitening.

http://www.gdc-uk.org/General+public/Tooth+Whitening/Tooth+whitening.htm

Doctors are not qualified (or insured) to do anything in the mouth either.

Obviously they are allowed to poke about the mouth for signs of other problems, and for ENT problems, it's often the way in!

Drs used to be trained and allowed to take teeth out, but I don't think that's the case now.

lou49

Thanks for that! On the leaflet:- "100% safer than orange juice" - for what, exactly? Also - "qualified professionals". Well, DH is a professional but certainly not a dentist! There was a guy in this booth wearing a shirt and tie and with a dental mask round his neck...Should have gone to have a word with him!

lou49

http://sonicwhitening.com/3.htm.

Also says on their site " We are currently recruiting dentists, hygienists and dental nurses".

Mmm...

belfastgirl23

lou49 wrote: »

http://sonicwhitening.com/3.htm.

Also says on their site " We are currently recruiting dentists, hygienists and dental nurses".

Mmm...

Yes but I could say on facebook that I'm currently flying to the moon, doesn't mean I'm actually doing it.

Teeth are too important to have anyone fooling with them who isn't 100% qualified. You could always go to the centre and ask whether the person providing the treatment is a qualified dentist - that would tell you something.

coldstreamalways

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

Yes but I could say on facebook that I'm currently flying to the moon, doesn't mean I'm actually doing it.

Teeth are too important to have anyone fooling with them who isn't 100% qualified. You could always go to the centre and ask whether the person providing the treatment is a qualified dentist - that would tell you something.

And also whether they have professional indemnity, to pay for putting things back if it all goes belly up..... like we (dentists) have to have in order to work in this country.

london_user_3

lou49 - I'm glad you had the sense to check this out before you went ahead. I had the treatment which made no difference to the shade of my teeth. Once I pointed this out, the 'professional' was confrontational and tried to convince me that my teeth were 4 shades lighter. She informed me that a refund was out of the question, so I'm now looking into getting legal advice.