BDA welcomes investigation into illegal teeth whitening

British Dental Association (BDA) has welcomed a BBC investigation that has revealed the scale of illegal teeth whitening across the west of England.

Undercover reporters from the BBC revealed one of the people responsible for this illegal activity is currently operating under a false name after being prosecuted by the General Dental Council for illegal teeth whitening two years ago.

This individual is still whitening teeth illegally, as only registered dental professionals can legally carry out this type of dental cosmetics in the UK.

The BDA has revealed several unlicensed online trainers who are providing rudimentary guidance for teeth whitening. Some of the products they are recommending, such as chlorine-dioxide whiteners actually cause lasting damage to people's teeth.

Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific advisor for the BDA, said: "The black market in teeth whitening is not confined to the west of England. Illegal whitening is now running rampant across the UK."

He continued on to say that although the relevant authorities are working to ensure that illegal teeth whitening is no longer an issue, it's still important for the public to understand the risks of taking advice from an unlicensed practitioner.