BBC: Reports of illegal teeth-whitening: up 26%
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- Published: Monday, 17 February 2020 07:41
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Reports of illegal teeth-whitening that could leave patients at risk of health problems including burns or lost teeth have increased, the BBC has found. GDC figures showed a 26% rise in reports last year. One beauty school claimed to have provided "thousands" of candidates with illegitimate qualifications, an undercover investigation found.
According to the BBC report, which was featured on Inside Out on BBC One, untrained beauticians using teeth-whitening kits have been known to cause tooth loss, burns and blisters. The BDA said "sham" schools preyed "on vulnerabilities of beauticians and others". People attending these schools were putting themselves at risk of ending up in jail or being fined, according to Dr Len D’Cruz, who appeared on the programme on behalf of the BDA.
Last year 732 cases of illegal-teeth whitening were reported to the GDC, a 26% increase from 582 in 2018 - though the figure was higher in 2016. The dentists’ regulatory body relies on reports from customers, so the real number could be much higher. The GDC said it had launched 126 prosecutions against illegal teeth whiteners since 2015, however it lacks the powers to prosecute those performing training, such as those filmed by BBC London.
The BBC uncovered several companies offering just a few hours of training for fraudulent qualifications. Two undercover BBC researchers attended a course with the London School of Nails and Beauty that lasted five hours. Attendees were told they could earn "from £80 upwards per session" after receiving a certificate, which they were told would allow them to set up their own business to treat customers.
School principal Cha McDonald said the process was "legal" as customers would be asked to carry out parts of the procedure themselves. She claimed "thousands" of people had undergone training at the school. A spokesperson for the General Dental Council said: "Handing an individual a tooth whitening tray and advising them on application, amongst other things, could constitute the giving of ’advice or attendance’ and in those circumstances would be a criminal offence."
Responding to the programme, dentist Dr Ben Atkins, President of the Oral Health Foundation, said the potential consequences of having dental treatment by those unqualified to do so are “severe” and could have “lasting consequences” on a person’s health.
He continued: “While cosmetic treatments like tooth whitening and orthodontics may seem like relatively easy procedures, they are quite the opposite. These are medical procedures and should only ever be carried out by a dental professional. The potential repercussions of having these treatments by a non-trained dental professional can be extremely dangerous. There could be a greater risk of infection and cross contamination, as well as damage to the gums, mouth and even the jaw.
“These are the kind of consequences that last a lifetime, cause unnecessary pain and suffering, and are highly expensive to correct. Never gamble with your health. Always see a trained and qualified professional for dental treatment of any kind.”
This story was featured on BBC London TV News and Inside Out on BBC One in London on Monday 10 February at 19:30 GMT and is now available on BBC iPlayer.
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