The British Dental Association (BDA) is appalled but not surprised by the results of a BBC investigation1 that has found that teeth-whitening procedures are still taking place in beauty salons and performed by untrained people.
The investigation also found that ‘training' is being offered via social media, and illegal strength products with a 50% concentration of hydrogen peroxide are being sold in car parks and down dark alleys.
The BDA warns these fraudsters are selling dangerous products to the unsuspecting public, at more than eight times the concentrations dentists are legally – and safely – allowed to use.
References
O'Donoghue D, O'Neill L. Illegal teeth-whitening industry exposed by BBC. BBC North West Investigations, 2025. Available at https://bit.ly/4o7DiE0 (accessed 18 November 2025).
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BDA condemns illegal teeth whitening. BDJ Team 12, 441 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41407-025-3167-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41407-025-3167-8