Milton Keynes woman prosecuted for carrying out illegal tooth whitening at her home

An unqualified woman who carried out tooth whitening illegally in her home has had the smile wiped off her face with a court fine.
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Lydia Ferguson pleaded guilty to offering illegal procedure with Optima White to clients at her Bradwell Common house .

She has been ordered to pay almost £600 by Milton Keynes magistrates.

The court heard an investigation was launched by the General Dental Council (GDC last year after a complaint was received.

Francesca Keen, the GDC’s head of illegal practice, said: “There is a long history of Optima White illegally offering tooth whitening, with three people having been previously convicted and fined and numerous warning letters having been sent.”

She added: “The investigation produced evidence that Ms Ferguson, working with Optima White, unlawfully held herself out as being prepared to practise dentistry in the form of tooth whitening.”

Legally, such treatments can only be performed by a dentist, a dental therapist, dental hygienist or clinical dental technician working to the prescription of a dentist.

Ms Ferguson, who lives in Wisley Avenue, did not attend court, and entering her guilty plea by post.

Lydia Ferguson was fined £100 and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge.

She was also ordered to pay a contribution towards the GDC’s costs of £450.

Magistrates gave her 28 days to pay, taking into account her letter of mitigation and an outine of her low income.

Ms Keen said: “Our primary purpose at the GDC is to protect the public from harm. Illegal tooth whitening represents a real risk. The GDC takes reports of the illegal practise of dentistry very seriously and will prosecute in the criminal courts.”

Optima White claims to be whiten teeth in just an hour. A bleaching gel is applied to the teeth and a laser light whitening accelerator is directed at them.

Anyone considering tooth whitening should first check the GDC’s online register of dental professionals.

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