An illegal tooth whitener – Lorna Jamous – was yesterday given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £350 towards the GDC’s costs at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
On 10 May 2013, judges at the High Court in London convicted Ms Jamous of practising dentistry and unlawfully carrying on the business of dentistry when not registered with the GDC.
At that time, the GDC was awarded full costs in the amount of £13,378.87.
Only dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists (working to the prescription of a dentist) can carry out tooth whitening.
The General Dental Council (GDC) had previously welcomes the decision by the High Court that tooth whitening is the practice of dentistry and should only be undertaken by regulated dental professionals.
The High Court ruling came when it overturned a Magistrates’ Court’s decision to acquit Ms Lorna Jamous of the offences of practising dentistry and unlawfully carrying on the business of dentistry when not regulated by the GDC.