Dentists want to kill teeth whitening discounters
With professional teeth whitening now available in spas, discount warehouses, and shopping mall kiosks, the question consumers face in these economic times is why spend more to go to a dentist for teeth bleaching?
Soon, you may have no choice.
Dental organizations across the US are working hard to ban retail outlets that offer cosmetic teeth whitening without the presence of a dentist.
- Dentists are working with state regulators and legislators in an attempt to halt cosmetic teeth whitening at malls and kiosks. These lobbying efforts are having an impact.
- Tennessee regulators recently ruled that all teeth whitening treatments must be performed by licensed dentists, dental hygienists or registered dental assistants supervised by a dentist.
- This past March, a judge in Alabama ruled that teeth whitening services "fall within the scope of the practice of dentistry" and required that professional teeth whitening must be administered by a properly trained and licensed dentist because this "will better serve the individual patient and the public at large in this regard."
- Legislation restricting cosmetic teeth whitening has been introduced this year in Hawaii, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Louisiana, North Carolina and Georgia.
- To garner greater support, the American Dental Association is also urging dentists to report to the US FDA "if your office treats a patient harmed through whitening by retail staff."
Are you taking risks by saving money on teeth whitening without dentists?
ABC undercover reporters investigated mall kiosks offering teeth whitening and found some cases of poorly trained staff and shoddy operations. But there was no evidence of patient harm.
According to leading dental expert, self-administered teeth whitening, whether at home or at a mall kiosk, is generally safe. "Dentists are peculiar people," explains Dr. Doyle Williams, a professor at Tufts School of Dental Medicine. "We like to protect our practices. There's nothing dangerous with bleaching outside of a dental office."
An organization called CCTW (Council for Cosmetic Teeth Whitening), with backers in the cosmetic teeth whitening industry echo Dr. Williams opinion. When asked what risks consumers face by getting their teeth whitened by a non-dentist provider, CCTW President Joyce Osborn argues that consumers face no risk by doing self administered teeth whitening.
"The products used outside a dental office pose no health problems and no safety issues, but regulated as a cosmetic, meaning they are not the high strength of hydrogen peroxide as used by dentists. Clinical studies prove the safety and efficacy of peroxides used as a tooth bleaching agent," states Osborn.
Saving money on getting a brighter smile
Osborn also believes that choice of teeth whitening options is important to consumers with tight budgets. "The consumer has the right to chose how they want their teeth whitened. With the economy meltdown, many cannot afford the high cost of a dentist, nor want to sit in a chair for 1 1/2 hours to have their teeth whitened."
The fight over teeth whitening regulations may all be a moot point if teeth whitening isn't worth it at any price.
Over 100 consumers posting their teeth whitening reviews on RealSelf.com currently rate teeth whitening as "worth it" only 43% of the time. Unreliable outcomes (at an average reported cost of $435) may be unacceptable to recession wary consumers.
Return to RealSelf blog
unregistered guest
8 Apr 2009
Personally i think getting teeth whitened at the mall is kinda crazy. Its the same concentration as the stuff you buy at CVS and can do at home. the light activation thing is just crap...makes it seem like it's doing more but it isnt
1 post
8 Apr 2009
This excerpt is from an article found on the ADA.org site. Copy/Paste and read for yourself http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/printarticle.asp?articleid=3467 "Judge McCooey's decision was made in the best interest of the citizens of Alabama. Injuries, infections and/or pain could result from exposure to procedures that may be inappropriate for an individual's unique set of dental and physical needs," said Dr. Karen McCaffery, president, Alabama Board of Dental Examiners. "The persons performing the bleaching procedures are inadequately trained in infection control and are not regulated by any health agencies. These are the reasons that bleaching procedures must involve your dentist." The ADA, and your dentist look out for what is best for your oral health. But hey, people usually don't care whats best for them, as long as they get what they want....whether they need it or not. Hey, if you bleach ur teeth in a mall and end up with major problems like some patients in our office did, I hope u end up calling us for help.......kaching!
unregistered guest
9 Apr 2009
There have never, ever been any reports of health or dental problems due to Cosmetic Teeth Whitening. However, there are hundreds of reports of damage from teeth whitening in dental offices. Do a simple search, check it out. If anybody needs training on teeth whitening procedures, it is the DENTISTS. This is all about money and making sure dentists get all the money they want. This is anti-competitive behavior by the dentists, and they will suffer at the hands of the FTC and perhaps the Justice Department. That's what it is all about for dentists - KACHING!
unregistered guest
22 Apr 2009
I have sold hundreds of teeth whitening kits to customers that have chosen to use them at our location and have never had one leave with complaints of pain in their teeth or gums. The stories of bleeding are only from the DENTIST applied products. We tell the customer to follow directions and point out the most important one that they remove the product if any discomfort appears, JUST LIKE THE WHITESTRIPS WARNING. They are in control 100% of the time. They can do one, two, or three sessions depending on the level of whitening they want to achieve at the moment. They are not forced into an hour or more session if they don't need or want it. The mall store is in competition with whitestrips, and other take home products, not DENTISTS. If our customer had $1000 they would go the the dentist for the work. They have $50-$150 and choose whitestrips, gel trays like rembrandt or store brands like ours. Our customers will NEVER be your customers. It's like thinking someone buying wrinkle cream or at home face peels is taking money from plastic surgeons...not the same target market demographic. Get over it ADA, whitening is over the counter now, get on with your business and let us get on with ours.
unregistered guest
22 Apr 2009
My twin had her teeth whitened at our dentist two months ago and was charged $600. Her teeth looked beautiful and of course not only is our last name Jones, the two of us are constantly, literally "keeping up with the Jones" (as in each other--we are very competitive with one another). After her appointment with our dentist, she complained of terrible pain that lasted for days but as we will both tell you beauty does not come without pain or price. I was actually worried about the pain and the price, however how could I not do this?? I could not have my twin have beautiful white teeth and me with my coffee stained, cigarette (I have since quit) butt smile! A few weeks ago while having my nails done I saw a sign that they now offered teeth whitening for $149 & that there was little to no sensitivity. That took care of my two worries!! The owner of the salon said she had done it (she really needed it too, but now has a beautiful smile and smiles more as a result!!) and did not experience any pain. She said she had done her homework and trusted the person she was partnering with--which I trusted her on. She is a very thorough business woman. I also did my own research and felt there was no reason I could come up with, not to trust this to be OK for me. Not to mention a good solution to what I wanted and needed. Sure enough, I experienced NO pain, paid only $149 and my smile is just as white as my sisters. Now, you do the math. I couldn't be happier. So, I went into my regular dentist for a cleaning on Monday. When the dentist came in to examine me, he went on and on about what a nice job he had done on my new white teeth. I actually told him the truth about where I had gotten done. Being a stand up guy, (which I admire in anyone) he honestly admitted that they looked. I asked what the big uproar was all about these folks. Remember I told you I did my research too & have seen these negative things the dentists have been saying and doing. He said that dentists were business people too and they were just protecting their turf, just as a momma lion would do with her cubs. Very telling indeed!! I am a partner in an accounting firm. Thinking about this, how much business could the teeth whiteners in kiosks and salons really be taking away from each dentist. Again, do the math. It is not significant--they are just protecting their turf. I am a business person too but this boils down to unfair, monopolistic trade practices. I am curious, why hasn't the FTC weighed in yet or if they have, what do they have to say about it? Don't we still live in America? Land of the Free?? I have not seen one good real reason not to allow entrepreneurship to flourish. Especially in these challenging times.
1 post
12 May 2009
i think all dentists are jel-less cause they are losing all their extra profits i think people sould make money doing mall,home,moble whitening teeths business in any 50 state in the us, all dentists are haters,Dear dentists stop hating on people who are making a living,just mind your own business...
unregistered guest
1 Jun 2009
If you do the research, you will find that cosmetic whitening will not last as long as dentist whitening systems. If you research and find out the chemicals that ACTUALLY whiten your teeth, you will find that cosmetic places are ripping you off. Personally I would not want anyone who is not licensed to do anything in my mouth. They are not regulated for acepsis. EHW. Who knows if the itmes they use on you were used before. That is so gross.. I cant believe how many people fall for those scams! Come on people. If they claim they can whiten restorative material, they are lying. YOU CANT. And also, some places have really potent chemicals that can burn your gums. I actually saw a lady that her gums were receeded after whitening at a cosmetic place. It was gross. Save a few bucks and risk blochy teeth and your gums falling off. Thats your option! EHW.. Why dont you do your own research, check ADA, see what research shows, its a smart move.
unregistered guest
24 Aug 2009
I have heard those terrible experiences at dentist's office.So,to me self-administered teeth whitening process at home seems reliable.