DT News - UK - One in four patients would skip dentist for tooth whitening

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 27 May 2013

save

RUGBY – Tooth whitening is becoming increasingly popular. Last week, UK health authorities voiced concerns about illegal and potentially harmful tooth-whitening services in the country, as a survey had shown that over 25 per cent of the participants would choose to purchase home kits or visit beauticians rather than consult a dentist to have their teeth whitened.

The study involved 2,000 UK citizens, who were asked where they would most likely have their teeth whitened. Although the majority (72 per cent) said that they would visit the dentist for such a treatment, over 20 per cent stated that they would rather buy at-home whitening kits on the Internet or from a pharmacy.

In addition, about 2 per cent considered beauty shops and high-street kiosks safe places for tooth whitening. When asked about who they believe is qualified to carry out such treatment, 25 per cent of the participants stated that beauty kiosk staff and beauticians are capable of doing so, although a law established in October last year rendered this illegal.

The law was passed as a result of the European Council’s directive that tooth-whitening products containing or releasing between 0.1 and 6 per cent hydrogen peroxide may only be sold to a registered dental professional offering the treatment in his or her practice.

“Beauticians and those working in kiosks carry out the procedure without the correct training, qualifications or the expertise required. In many cases, the tooth-whitening agent contains hydrogen peroxide above the recommended limit, which can result in permanent damage,” warned Dr Nigel Carter, OBE, CEO of the British Dental Health Foundation.

The survey was carried out in February by online market research company Atomik Research on behalf of the British Dental Health Foundation. It was commissioned as part of National Smile Month, the largest oral health campaign in the UK, which is run annually from 20 May to 20 June. The campaign is sponsored by Listerine, Oral-B and Wrigley.

To post a reply please login or register

Tooth whitening companies team up for charity

LONDON, UK: Several of the UK’s largest tooth whitening companies have come together for the holiday season in support of a campaign titled, “White ...

Tooth whitening: A high price for being unaware

While teeth whitening may leave you with a pearly white smile, the recent prosecution of an unregulated practitioner has shown that it remains a grey area ...

Man fined £11,500 for providing illegal tooth whitening and training

NEWPORT, UK: The UK regulator of dental practice, the General Dental Council (GDC), has prosecuted an illegal tooth-whitening training provider for the ...

Non-dentists may not perform tooth whitening, County Court rules

BROMLEY, UK: When beauty therapist Caroline Sumpter from Bromley bought a Megawhite Teeth Whitening Licence from Dentawhite in Glasgow, she was not aware ...

Post-hygiene whitening for everyone

It is often amazing to see how a slightly different shade of colour can brighten up a smile and the entire countenance of patients who decide to undergo ...

Research on pufferfish could lead to addressing tooth loss in humans

SHEFFIELD, UK: According to new research by an international team of scientists, human teeth evolved from the same genes that form the characteristic beaked...

Quest for tooth whitening: Study reports extensive damage to dental cells by carbamide peroxide

TORONTO, Canada/LONDON, UK: As the quest for having whiter teeth continues, it is crucial to fully understand the extent of damage that tooth-whitening ...

General Dental Council figures show illegal tooth whitening procedures on the rise

LONDON, UK: In recent years, tooth whitening has become an increasingly common form of aesthetic dental treatment. Though its provision is legally limited ...

Provisional registration proposed for overseas-trained dentists in the UK

LONDON, UK: Dentists with overseas qualifications looking to practise in the UK are currently subject to an extensive registration process. As part of a ...

Interview: “Make everything about tooth whitening predictable”

Enlighten Smiles is one of the UK’s most trusted tooth whitening brands. With guaranteed results and a strong marketing system, as well as its own ...

Education

Live webinar
Mon. 29 April 2024
5:30 pm UTC (London)