How could the new tooth whitening legislation be used to make whitening safer for patients? This was the subject of debate at last month's meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dentistry (APPGD) in Portcullis House, Westminster.

The law relating to tooth whitening changed on 31 October this year, clarifying that tooth whitening products with hydrogen peroxide levels greater than 0.1% should only be sold to and used by qualified dental practitioners. The attendees and members of the APPGD meeting generally welcomed the new law but questioned who would have the power to enforce it.

General Dental Council (GDC) illegal practice team solicitor Tessa Nejranowski confirmed that the GDC have received hundreds of complaints of complications from members of the public who had their teeth whitened by people without any dental expertise. Cases included chemical burns to the nose, mouth and cheeks in addition to resulting anxiety, burning sensations and altered tastes. However, Ms Nejranowski pointed out that her team 'cannot investigate and prosecute every case, often due to lack of evidence'. She claimed that the GDC are restricted by a lack of 'search and seizure' powers and having limited resources to prosecute those carrying out illegal whitening procedures. She called for more powers for the GDC and higher punishment for those convicted to advance the fight against those providing illegal whitening. Currently fines are limited to £5,000 in the magistrates' court.

Dr Stuart Johnson, Chair of the Council of European Dentists' working group on tooth whitening and a member of the British Dental Association's (BDA's) Principal Executive Committee, said that 'as professionals we should be using the lowest possible concentration [of hydrogen peroxide] to achieve the desired result'. Dr Johnson called on Trading Standards to use their powers to control the supply of whitening products to those carrying out illegal whitening.

In a statement released as the new legislation came into force, the British Dental Trade Association (BDTA) also called on Trading Standards to 'embolden their approach to tackling non-dentists who illegally provide tooth whitening' and called on the beauty industry to ensure that its members and those who train them understand the new legal framework.