GDC and Groupon crack down on illegal tooth whitening

The General Dental Council (GDC) is working with daily deals company Groupon to crack down on the promotion of tooth whitening services offered by unregulated professionals.

Groupon has provided the regulatory body with assurances that it will not be offering any illegal tooth whitening deals, with the GDC now set to seek similar commitments from other firms with a comparable business model, reports Dentistry.

The GDC has taken numerous measures in recent months to ensure that whitening services are only offered by dentists, or alternatively hygienists or therapists working to a dentist's prescription.

Last month, it welcomed a ruling from the High Court that overturned an earlier magistrates' court decision to acquit Lorna Jamous after she was found to be offering tooth whitening services without proper qualifications.

Dentists have also been reminded by the GDC that if they sign up to offer deals relating to dental treatment through Groupon or similar services, they must still exercise the due diligence in assessing the patient and ensuring the treatment is right for them before proceeding.