Did You Know Teeth Whitening Is Illegal ?

[Canary42]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-46427500

[Mamyalynne]

It isn't.

[Zacs-Master]

Only of you're not registered with the GDC. Seems sensible to me.

[maggiebee]

Take it that it's OK if you do it yourself? You can buy teeth whitening kits on line.

[dannyk13]

No it isn't. Unqualified person whitening other peoples teeth is illegal.

[THECORBYLOON]

It's not illegal is it? "The General Dental Council (GDC) says only registered dentists should carry out teeth whitening."

[Canary42]

I really only intended this thread to act as a warning to prevent anyone from suffering the same fate as the woman caught doing it without GDC approval, but apparently unaware she was doing anything illegal.

[Zacs-Master]

Of course you did.

[spathiphyllum]

i would have assumed that whitening teeth with no experience or like, what are they called, qualifications?? would be illegal. However surely it's something you research before starting a money maker? If you need a licence, qualification or certificate or what not before hand.

Silly woman if you ask me

[AuntLydia]

Whitening teeth is not illegal. Whitening someone else's teeth as a favour or for money is illegal.

[Mamyalynne]

//The GDC has not brought any cases against training companies but it has prosecuted 31 individuals across the UK this year.//

Perhaps it's time they looked at the way these companies operate - no doubt they've found a loophole somehow.

[AuntLydia]

Anyone who lets anyone other than a trained dentist do anything with their teeth deserve that they drop out.

[spathiphyllum]

I have whitened my own teeth before with a 'kit', if i bought another one and did the process for my other half would that be illegal?

[AuntLydia]

spath -yes technically it would but unless she reported you to the Teeth Police who would know? However, if you had some spare paste and advertised Spaths sparking teeth service you may find yourself in trouble.

[spathiphyllum]

People usually get the wrong idea when i offer them my "Spaths Special"

[Old_Geezer]

Well I'm still gonna buy Tippex !

[Buenchico]

It seems that it's usually the GDC, rather than the police or trading standards, who initiate investigations into teeth whitening by unqualified professionals.

e.g.
https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/bogus-dentist-fined-for-whitening-teeth-in-sheffield-1-8528851
and
https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/woman-fined-for-illegal-tooth-whitening-in-rotherham-1-8597508

Apparently some people use dodgy DIY kits (and even give them to others as Christmas presents) too:
https://www.thestar.co.uk/read-this/trading-standards-warn-dangerous-teeth-whitening-kit/

[Flonska]

It appears that there is quite a a variance in the penalties applied once the GDC has successfully taken cases through the courts:-

https://www.gdpuk.com/news/latest-news/2944-fines-levied-in-april-for-illegal-whitening-varied-greatly-across-england

[Buenchico]

Flonska:
Since fines are based upon 'relevant weekly income' (which basically means 'take home pay' but with a minimum threshold of £120), there's bound to be a great deal of variation in the fines imposed by courts:
https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/explanatory-material/magistrates-court/item/fines-and-financial-orders/approach-to-the-assessment-of-fines-2/2-fine-bands/

Those who're well off pay lots, whereas those who're hard up pay less. For example an unemployed drink-driver who receives a fine will have to pay a fairly small amount (but which might still hit his pocket quite hard), whereas Ant McPartlin got clobbered with a fine of £86,000.

[ToraToraTora]

dam that could mean my laser eye surgery part time job is illegal too!
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=goldfinger+laser&source=lnms&;tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjn3NuLkYnfAhWQfFAKHd-jADUQ_AUIDigB&biw=1600&bih=741#imgrc=u-MLl8RNKHldQM:&;spf=1544028336573