The words to use
- Illegal practice
- Practising dentistry, or offering to, without GDC registration. A crime under the Dentists Act 1984, with unlimited fines in England and Wales.
- GDC v Jamous (2013)
- The High Court case confirming that tooth whitening is the practice of dentistry, so unregistered people may not provide it.
- Hydrogen peroxide limits
- Up to 6% for whitening by dental professionals; 0.1% to 6% products not for under-18s except to treat disease; under 0.1% on general sale.
- Direct-to-consumer orthodontics
- Aligners ordered online and posted to the patient. The GDC says this is dentistry and still needs a physical examination first.
- Trading Standards
- Council teams that enforce product safety law, including the rules on the strength of whitening products.
