Sir, the article in a recent BDJ is an excellent review of the dentistry of tooth whitening.1 With regret those dentists working in the EU are restricted in their use of tooth whitening as described by the EU Cosmetics Directive, which does not allow the use of higher strength material and tooth whitening on the pregnant or under 18s. The BDA produce a very useful Advice Sheet on the subject to assist members.

Work continues by the BDA through the Council of European Dentists to change the position of the under 18s who have specific indications for tooth whitening.