--- title: "The Dos and Don'ts of Tooth Whitening: EU Laws and Regulations - White Dental Beauty" description: Keep your patients safe and adhere to the latest EU regulations for dentistry, with the dos and don'ts of tooth whitening. image: https://blog.optident.co.uk/hubfs/Blog%20Images/blog-post__featured-image--1.jpg --- [![White Dental Beauty](https://blog.optident.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/wdb-ws/img/logo@2x.jpg?width=106&height=106&name=logo@2x.jpg)](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk) - [CompoSite](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/composite) - [Teeth Whitening](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/teeth-whitening) - [#whiteology](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/whiteology) - [Blog](https://blog.optident.co.uk/white-dental-beauty) - [Get in touch](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/get-in-touch) - [Where to Buy](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/where-to-buy) - [Patient Information](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/patient-information) [Patient Information](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/patient-information) ![blog-post__featured-image--1](https://blog.optident.co.uk/hubfs/Blog%20Images/blog-post__featured-image--1.jpg) - [![Facebook](https://blog.optident.co.uk/hubfs/wdb-ws/img/facebook-16.png)](https://www.facebook.com/whitedentalbeauty) - [![Instagram](https://blog.optident.co.uk/hubfs/wdb-ws/img/instagram-16.png)](https://www.instagram.com/whitedentalbeauty/) 24 August 2017 Business ### The Dos And Don'ts Of Tooth Whitening: Eu Laws And Regulations **As a dental professional, it is up to you to keep your patients safe. It is also your responsibility to ensure you and your practice are adhering to the latest legalities of dentistry.** **Every treatment has a set of dos and don’ts - outlined by a set of regularly updated laws - that you have to confidently understand. ** **This is where we come in…** **[With the recent rise in patient demand for brighter smiles](https://blog.optident.co.uk/tooth-whitening-in-numbers) in the tooth whitening industry, we wanted to showcase the latest dos and don’ts for this treatment.** #### **Tooth Whitening Laws - EU Council Directive 2011/84/EU** In October 2012, changes to the EU law on tooth whitening came into place. As recognised [in a recent guest post by Michaela O’Neill](https://blog.optident.co.uk/tooth-whitening-hygienists-and-therapists) - a leading Dental Hygienist with over 25 years’ experience - the law came with four significant changes for dentists offering tooth whitening: - Consumers can only buy whitening products that contain or release 0.1% or less of Hydrogen Peroxide over the counter - [Professional tooth whitening](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/teeth-whitening)treatments can use products containing or releasing between 0.1% - 6% Hydrogen Peroxide - For each cycle of use, the first use must be undertaken by a dental practitioner or under their direct supervision - and are not directly available to the patient. - The percentage of Hydrogen Peroxide (contained or released) must be clearly and appropriately labelled The most significant change, affecting all dental practitioners who offer professional tooth whitening, is the increase of the percentage of Hydrogen Peroxide allowed to be contained or released in bleaching products. [![Download Your Free Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2916295/af54a874-99d8-46ea-981a-0757ef9ee160.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2916295/af54a874-99d8-46ea-981a-0757ef9ee160) ### **The dos and don’ts of professional tooth whitening** Products containing or releasing up to 6% HP can be used, when following these dos and don’ts…   #### **DO examine the patient’s teeth** It’s important that you are able to determine whether this is the most suitable solution for them, based on their problem, their needs and what they can afford. So before any whitening course is agreed upon or started, carry out an initial examination of the patient’s teeth. Use this time to weigh up any potential risk factors and get to know their medical history. And don’t forget to talk them through the treatment plan, including time frames, products, costs, and side effects. ![iStock-498711712.jpg](https://blog.optident.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-498711712.jpg?width=936&height=624&name=iStock-498711712.jpg) #### **DON’T risk your patient’s welfare** For some patients, cost is one of the biggest challenges standing in the way of them and their perfect smile. This can drive people to buy fake, non-regulated products online - or even turn to non-dental professionals for help. *“Unfortunately, the regulations have had little impact on the percentages available over the counter, or those being used by non-dental professionals - despite best efforts.” -* Michaela O’Neill. As part of enhancing patient care and looking after their welfare, communicate the risks of choosing for non-professional options and guide them to making the safest decision. #### **DO offer whitening if you are a Hygienist or Therapist** According to The General Dental Council’s Scope of Practice, hygienists and therapists can administer tooth whitening whilst under direct supervision from a dentist. [*Read the best practice tooth whitening protocol for hygienists and therapists here.*](https://blog.optident.co.uk/tooth-whitening-hygienists-and-therapists) #### **DON’T neglect the patient after the initial treatment** It’s up to you to complete the cycle. Your duty extends to continuing to monitor the provision of top-up gels, and ensuring that this is done so in accordance with the treatment plan you created. #### **DO always carry out the first use of each cycle** For each cycle of whitening, the first use should always be undertaken by a dentist - or under their supervision if the treatment is being administered by Dental Hygienists or Therapists. Dental Protection also advise that practitioners make a detailed contemporaneous record of the examination and that the patient is provided with whitening instructions at the first appointment. ![iStock-505573022.jpg](https://blog.optident.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-505573022.jpg?width=936&height=624&name=iStock-505573022.jpg) #### **DON’T try and cheat the system with ‘Medical Devices’** Whilst some European manufacturers are marketing tooth whitening products with over 6% HP (contained or released) as medical devices, these still fall under the same laws. Even if the product has a CE mark, it cannot circumvent the regulations - Cosmetic Products Regulations 2008, the 2012 Regulations and the EU Directive. #### **DO promote the treatment** Although there is an increasing demand for whiter, brighter smiles, some patients might be at a loss when it comes to understanding how they can achieve this. Make sure you educate them on the solutions available and advise them on the most appropriate treatment for them. And use this as an opportunity to [promote and market your treatment options.](https://blog.optident.co.uk/market-new-dental-products-to-your-patients) #### **DON’T treat patients under the age of 18** The 2012 Regulations and EU Directive clearly state that professional whitening treatments cannot be used on patients under the age of 18. If you do have a patient under the age of 18 that requires tooth whitening, contact Dental Protection to discuss your options. #### **DO report any adverse effects** To ensure the safety of people’s teeth - your own patients or not - the industry needs to be aware of products and treatments that are causing adverse side effects. Naturally, all products come with a list of side effects. But if you are treating a patient who experiences something that isn’t listed - or a more severe version - record and report it.    ### **Prepare and perform** [As patients become more educated about the tooth whitening options available](https://blog.optident.co.uk/the-what-when-and-how-of-tooth-whitening), you need to be prepared to meet the increased demand by offering treatments that adhere to the latest laws. Keep your patients safe and avoid landing yourself in hot water by practising in line with the latest legalities… *[![Get Your Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2916295/1e0eea7a-db00-4957-82d0-b089c1c932a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2916295/1e0eea7a-db00-4957-82d0-b089c1c932a6)* - [![Facebook](https://blog.optident.co.uk/hubfs/wdb-ws/img/facebook-16.png)](https://www.facebook.com/whitedentalbeauty) - [![Instagram](https://blog.optident.co.uk/hubfs/wdb-ws/img/instagram-16.png)](https://www.instagram.com/whitedentalbeauty/) Please enable JavaScript to view the [comments powered by Disqus.](https://disqus.com/?ref_noscript) ### Discover More #### [Innovation Learn more Recommended Wear Times for White Dental Beauty When it comes to tooth whitening, every patient is different. Offer your patients a choice with White Dental Beauty's professional tooth whitening systems to suit a range of lifestyles.](https://blog.optident.co.uk/white-dental-beauty/recommended-wear-times-for-white-dental-beauty) #### [Business Learn more What Dentists Need to Know about Instagram Marketing Is your practice currently making the most of Instagram? Learn more about this powerful marketing tool and start attracting new patients today!](https://blog.optident.co.uk/white-dental-beauty/what-dentists-need-to-know-about-instagram-marketing) #### [Innovation Learn more Managing Patient Sensitivity With Tooth Whitening Tooth whitening sensitivity causing your patients pain? Discover the main causes, along with answers to common questions & the perfect solution.](https://blog.optident.co.uk/white-dental-beauty/managing-patient-sensitivity) #### Subscribe and we’ll send you brand new articles every month #### About White Dental Beauty is a worldwide leading tooth whitening brand, recognised for high quality products with clinically proven results. #### Shop Now Become a leader in professional tooth whitening [Order Today](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/get-in-touch#order-today) #### Contact Optident Ltd IDC Valley Drive, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 8AL T: [+44 (0) 1943 605050](tel:+441943605050) #### Menu - [About](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/about) - [The Science of Novon®](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/the-science-of-novon) - [Teeth Whitening Gels](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/teeth-whitening) - [Compo***Si***te](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/composite) - [#whiteology](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/whiteology) - [Resources](https://blog.optident.co.uk/white-dental-beauty-resources) - [Blog](https://blog.optident.co.uk/white-dental-beauty) - [Get in touch](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/get-in-touch) - [Request a demo](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/request-a-demo) - [Where to Buy](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/where-to-buy) - [Patient Information](https://whitedentalbeauty.optident.co.uk/patient-information) #### Request a demo Discover White Dental Beauty and enhance your whitening treatments with an in-practice demo. 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