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Dear Members
Please take a moment to familairise yourself with the following information & websites on "teeth whitening" This article was forwarded to the APAA by a member whose Dentist provided the information.
This information has been published with the express consent of the member.
http://www.ada.org.au/Australian_Dentist/October_2009/toothwhitening.aspx
http://www.dentalboard.qld.gov.au/publications/Bulletins/Bulletin15.pdf
http://www.bitemagazine.com.au/Home/Entries/2009/10/1_Court_rules_on_tooth_whitening.html
Read the above and decide whether it is worth being convicted of illegally practicing dentistry.
You are not qualified to determine whether a person has tooth decay, periodontal disease, leaking restorations, areas of toothbrush erosion or oral cancer. Bleach used in the mouth is also linked with oral cancer, particularly in people who smoke.
The fact that the client places the bleaching tray in their own mouth does not absolve you from practicing dentistry illegally. Also, the bleaching tray is not designed specifically for that patient and therefore the bleach can extrude out of the tray and burn lips and gums. We take accurate impressions of peoples teeth and have the trays made up by a dental laboratory to accurately fit the patient’s dentition.
You have no control of the outcome and you might find people are unhappy. There is no such thing as permanent bleaching and teeth do return to their natural colour after 6 months. Fillings do not change colour, so if people have obvious fillings, they will stay dark.
I would not support you in such an endeavour because clearly you are not qualified as a dental clinician and would be leaving yourself wide open to prospective criminal prosecution.
Teeth Whitening-Dentists or Salons?
By Anne-Marie Marynycz
National President
Association of Professional Aestheticians of Australia
These days Salons are being tempted into offering teeth whitening services in their Salons as an integral part of the Aesthetic services to the Public. Why is it that she is able to offer eyelash extensions, skin whitening procedures, Dermabrasion and other technical procedures and yet unable to offer a teeth whitening service? The answer is critical.
The Salon Owner must become educated in the treatment she is offering. Are you aware of the chemicals used in the gel products may cause discolouration and teeth insensitivity? Do you have a proper Health & Safety Practice in place for disinfection & Sterilisation? Are you aware that many of the gels offered to the public for teeth whitening may be stronger than those available in a Dentist’s practice? The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) said it had been alerted to chemicals being used to whiten teeth usually recommended for industrial purposes such as ortho-phosphoric acid and chlorine dioxide. They (BACD) also advised that the chemicals could erode the enamel making the teeth look darker.
Salons offering teeth whitening services usually use a gel which is applied to the teeth. Light is used to activate this gel and as the active ingredient breaks down, oxygen gets into the enamel and the colour lightens. Dentists use peroxide based products and ensure that the client does not have any problems in the mouth before carrying out the treatment. Some salons think that if they hand the mouth trays to the customers who put the trays into their mouths and adjust the light over their own teeth that they cannot cause infection! Be aware this does not constitute disinfection and sterilisation.
It is unfortunate that many celebrities are advertising perfect white teeth but at what cost to the average person? Sure it may be a lot more expensive to go and visit the Dentist but wouldn’t you want to ensure that you only have the best care as far as your teeth are concerned? You need to realise that beauty salon staff do not have the training that dentists have. Basic training to whiten teeth by manufacturers and suppliers is inappropriate and could be litigious as in the most recent case in Victoria.
The reality is that if you intend offering teeth whitening procedures in your salon then you must become aware of the consequences that are inherently involved in such a procedure. The APAA has a position on Teeth Whitening in Salons and we suggest that you take note of your industry’s advice on this issue.