National Smile Month - Beware Illegals!

Toothsmith

It has come to my attention today that an awful lot of illegal tooth whitening salons are jumping on the National Smile Month bandwagon.

National Smile month is there to raise awareness of dental health issues.

One of the issues is tooth whitening by non-dentists is illegal, and potentially harmful.The GDC is successfully prosecuting such operators now, and the defense that it is a 'Cosmetic only' process has been shown not to stand up in court.

http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/3845--Teeth-whitening-Teeth-Whitening-UK-Tooth-whitening-Tooth-whitening-GDC-wins-first-ever-qaposil

And
http://www.gdc-uk.org/Newsandpublications/Pressreleases/Pages/Court-imposes-fine-for-illegal-tooth-whitening-.aspx

If you are a salon owner, and are being approached by the people selling you this equipment and gels - they will probably still be telling you it's OK, and even offering really good deals as they are desperate to off load their stock.

This is a thread from a forum for salon owners.

http://www.salongeek.com/biz-geek/135952-average-joe-sued-doing-teeth-whitening.html

Please be careful out there - with your money and your teeth.

If anyone is concerned by any company/salon/beautician offering tooth whitening, it can be reported direct to the General Dental Council on 0845 222 4141 or email [EMAIL="illegalpractice@gdc-uk.org"]illegalpractice@gdc-uk.org[/EMAIL]

Toothsmith

Just wanted to bump this.

JGreen456

But isn't it also good that people coming out of prison and who might have hepatitis and other infecting conditions, can just get work retraining for tooth whitening in shopping centres, when it isn't fair they are being discriminated against in healthcare industry and being refused jobs just because of child protection and health and safety rules, when all people want is some quick cheap whitening by anyone?

Think of all the jobs they could make when work is so difficult to come by in a recession and even if they mess things up they can just move towns without trace and start again, it's ideal work for someone with a risky past, as they can't even do babysitting now.

If people want to save a few pounds you have to take a few risks. All I'm saying is it may be illegal tooth whitening but it's not all bad is it?

Sometimes you do get what you pay for when it's your health, but some people want cheaper, at any price!

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger maybe people know this and we should stop being a nanny state.

welshdent

Not entirely sure what you are angling at JGreen. There IS a reason tooth whitening by non dental professionals is illegal though. Its NOT to make the punters pay more. There is a public protection issue to start with. Hence why it is illegal for newly released prisoners to do knee replacements! You may think I am being flippant but I am not. The principle is the same. Whitening is not a simple process. It can potentially cause a mine field of problems, none of which is manageable by a hair dresser in a salon or anyone else not dentally qualified.

Also I know the systems many of these people use. I can suggest an even cheaper way of getting a bright white smile. hold your lips open and get someone to blow a hair drier on your teeth for 40 minutes. BANG. Whiter teeth. These cheap systems promoters know they dont work and they know that its dessication of the tooth that gives that wow impression. Thats why it is so cheap. Capitolise on the principle of "well its only £50 if it doesnt work it hasnt cost me much but if it DOES work it was only £50".

So yes people want it cheaper but what do they want? Cheap and rubbish or normal price and works?

Toothsmith

welshdent wrote: »

Not entirely sure what you are angling at JGreen.

I think he/she's being ironic.

Dental staff are registered and generally crb checked and have been through occupational health to check for any nasty underlying transmissible conditions.

There is no such requirement on anyone working in a toothwhitening 'salon'

Toothsmith

It has been confirmed that the General Dental Council is investigating the Tooth Whitening chain Pearlys Ltd.

Pearlys caused anger amongst the dental profession back in March when a London Evening Standard Article seemed to suggest that David Cameron endorsed founder Liz Ridley as "one of the entrepreneurs crucial to the nation's recovery"

This claim was later found to be false.

http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/5133-Dentists+do+battle+against+whitening+cowboys


Dental professional anger was further stoked by a widely reported lavish [Z list] celebrity launch party for a new range of tooth whitening products.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2145673/Chantelle-Houghton-smiling--tooth-whitening-party.html

Also Pearlys (along with other illegal whiteners) were seen to be hijacking 'National Smile Month' an awareness month sposored by the British Dental Health Foundation to support and highlight dental health issues.

Anger boiled over, and an intensive twitter, Facebook and email campaign prompted the General Dental Council to begin an investigation of Pearlys.

http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/5137-GDC-investigating-tooth-whitening-clinic

It is widely hoped that by taking on one of the 'high profile' illegal whiteners, a clear message will be sent down to all the beautician whiteners working at salons and booths in shopping malls up and down the country.

What you're doing is not safe, it is not legal, and it will be stopped.