Who Is Legally Allowed to Whiten Teeth in the UK?
Whitening is legal in the UK only from a dentist or, on a dentist's prescription, another dental professional the General Dental Council (GDC) permits. Gel containing or releasing over 0.1% hydrogen peroxide reaches patients only through dental treatment, and over 6% is banned for cosmetic use. This page explains why unregistered salon and mobile whitening is illegal, how to check the GDC register and what to do if harmed.
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Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, dentist · GDC 301711
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
This page was reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, principal dentist at Deepcar Dental Care, a General Dental Practitioner registered with the GDC under number 301711. You can find his entry by searching his name on the GDC register.
Is teeth whitening legal in the UK?
Yes, teeth whitening is legal in the UK when a dentist provides it or, on a dentist's prescription, another professional the General Dental Council permits. It is illegal when someone who is not registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) provides it.
UK law treats whitening as dentistry. Under the Dentists Act 1984, the practice of dentistry includes any treatment, advice or attendance usually given by dentists (section 37), and only registered dentists and registered dental care professionals may practise it (section 38). The GDC explains that a High Court case confirmed that procedures designed to improve the appearance of teeth are dentistry, so all tooth whitening procedures are limited to GDC registrants.
NHS guidance says whitening chemicals are very strong and should only be used or sold by dental professionals. One route it describes, a dentist-prescribed gel worn at home in trays made to fit your teeth, is covered on the page about home whitening with custom trays.
Who is legally allowed to whiten teeth?
Only a dentist can prescribe teeth whitening, according to the GDC. Whitening is then provided by the dentist or, working to the dentist's prescription, another dental professional the GDC permits to provide it, such as a dental therapist or a clinical dental technician.
The GDC names the types of dental care professional who may provide whitening on a dentist's prescription, and says no other types of dental professional can safely offer it. A dental nurse, for example, may not provide whitening, so being on the GDC register is not enough on its own. Someone who is not on the register cannot legally provide whitening, whatever training they have done.
Can a dental therapist whiten teeth?
Yes, a dental therapist may provide teeth whitening, but only working to a dentist's prescription. The same applies to the other dental care professionals the GDC permits to provide it.
The prescription means a dentist assesses you first. GDC guidance for patients says whitening should only follow a proper assessment by a registered dentist, who can examine you, judge whether whitening is right for you, and explain its costs and risks.
What are the legal limits on whitening gel strength?
UK cosmetics law limits tooth whitening products to 6% hydrogen peroxide. Products above 0.1% and up to 6% can be sold only to dental practitioners, and the GDC says they reach patients only through treatment by a dentist or, on a dentist's prescription, another dental professional the GDC permits to provide it.
The limits are set in the Cosmetic Products Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III). They count hydrogen peroxide present or released, so a carbamide peroxide gel is measured by the hydrogen peroxide it releases. The regulation and the GDC's 2016 position statement set out three bands:
- 0.1% or less: toothpastes, mouth rinses and whitening products at this level are freely available.
- More than 0.1% and up to 6%: these products can only be sold to dental practitioners and must not be directly available to the public.
- More than 6%: prohibited in oral products, including whitening products, unless used wholly to treat or prevent disease.
For products above 0.1% and up to 6%, the GDC lists these conditions:
- An appropriate clinical examination comes first, to make sure there are no risk factors or other problems in the mouth.
- Exposure is limited, so the product is used only as intended in how often and how long it is applied.
- For each cycle of use, the first use can only be carried out by a dental practitioner, or under their direct supervision if an equivalent level of safety is ensured. The patient may then complete the cycle. The GDC's guidance says this first application must be by a dentist, or by another dental professional the GDC permits working under the dentist's supervision.
- The product cannot be used on anyone under 18, except where the use is wholly for treating or preventing disease.
The GDC notes that the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013 replaced the earlier 2012 rules and left the law on tooth whitening unchanged. Breaching the product rules is a criminal offence, and Trading Standards enforces them. The evidence on shop-bought products is set out on the page about whitening kits, charcoal and home remedies.
Questions about this treatment? Book online or call the practice.
Why is teeth whitening at a beauty salon illegal?
Teeth whitening at a beauty salon is illegal when the person providing it is not registered with the GDC, because whitening is dentistry.
Asked whether a beautician may whiten teeth, the GDC answers no, even after a short training course. NHS guidance adds that whitening from places like beauty salons does not work as well and may harm your teeth and gums. The GDC also answers claims that unregistered providers make:
- "Our gel has no peroxide." Still illegal: work in the mouth to improve the appearance of teeth is dentistry whatever chemicals are used.
- "It is self-administered." Handing someone a whitening tray and advising them how to apply it could count as dental advice or attendance, a criminal offence for someone not registered with the GDC.
- "We are insured." You cannot be insured against committing a criminal offence, so the GDC says such a policy is void.
- "We hold a training certificate." A course does not make whitening legal for someone who is not registered.
- "We come to you." The GDC defines illegal practice as someone not registered with it offering or providing dental services, including whitening, so a mobile or home-visit service run by someone unregistered is illegal too.
How do you check a whitening provider is legally allowed?
Check the provider on the GDC's online register before any whitening starts. The register is free, and anyone can search it.
- Ask for the full name of the person who will carry out the whitening, and whether a dentist will prescribe it.
- Search the General Dental Council's online register by name, by town, or by both.
- Check the entry's status shows the person is currently registered.
- Check the registrant type. It should be dentist, or a type the GDC permits to provide whitening on a dentist's prescription, such as dental therapist.
- If the name does not appear, the GDC says the person is not registered and cannot legally provide whitening.
- Ask for a written treatment plan and an estimate of the cost before agreeing to start, as the GDC advises.
The GDC also suggests asking about the person's training and experience, the risks, and what aftercare is provided.
What should you do if whitening has harmed you?
If whitening has left you with side effects that bother you, NHS guidance advises talking to your dentist. The side effects it lists are teeth sensitive to cold or sweet food and drink, sore gums or throat, and white patches on the gums.
You can also report what happened. Who to contact depends on who provided the whitening:
- Someone not registered with the GDC: report it to the GDC as illegal practice, online or in writing, with the provider's name and address if you know them, what happened and when, and any harm. The GDC also wants to hear if an unregistered person offered you whitening, even if you did not go ahead.
- A registered dental professional: if you are concerned the treatment harmed you, you can report it to the GDC, which investigates serious concerns. For a complaint or a refund, the GDC's guidance is to raise it first with the dental practice that provided the treatment. NHS guidance says teeth whitening is not available on the NHS, so the next step is the Dental Complaints Service, which handles complaints about private dental care.
- A whitening product you bought that you think is unsafe, or a seller offering whitening gel containing or releasing more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide to the public: in England, report the business to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service. Citizens Advice gives separate advice for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
This page sets out the law and the GDC's guidance in general terms. It is not legal advice.
When should you speak to your dentist?
Speak to a dentist before you start any whitening, because NHS guidance says a dentist should check that your teeth and gums are healthy first. Whether whitening suits you, including the age and health reasons it may not, is covered in the whitening suitability pages.
Where can you read more about whitening safety?
This page is one of the whitening safety pages in this section, which also cover enamel and sensitivity, and shop-bought kits and home remedies. For the treatment as a whole, read the complete guide to teeth whitening.
Frequently asked questions
Does the GDC prosecute illegal teeth whitening?
Yes, the GDC prosecutes people who whiten teeth without being registered, under the Dentists Act 1984. It investigates reports and, where appropriate, takes cases to the criminal courts; in other cases it sends a warning letter instead. The GDC says these cases carry an unlimited fine in England and Wales.
Can a dentist legally use gel stronger than 6% for whitening?
No, not for cosmetic whitening. Products containing or releasing more than 6% hydrogen peroxide are prohibited in oral products unless used wholly to treat or prevent disease. The GDC says a registrant who uses more than 6% for cosmetic purposes may face fitness to practise proceedings and referral to Trading Standards.
Can you buy professional-strength whitening gel online?
It should not be on sale to you. UK cosmetics law lets whitening gel containing or releasing more than 0.1% and up to 6% hydrogen peroxide be sold only to dental practitioners, and bans stronger gel for whitening, so selling either to the public breaks the product rules. NHS guidance says online kits may harm teeth and gums.
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You can contact Deepcar Dental Care online or by phone, and the practice is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday. At the practice, whitening is provided by our dentists. The main page on professionally whitening your teeth explains whitening with a dentist at Deepcar Dental Care.
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