HPCSA clears its position on teeth whitening services

THE Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has said that only dentists who have had special training in teeth whitening can administer the procedure.

This follows a request received by the Professional Board of Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene (PBDOH) to clarify the matter.

The board said individuals such as beauty therapists, cosmetologists and various companies offered teeth whitening products and services without necessarily being authorised to do so.

The council is investigating matters surrounding non-oral health practitioners providing teeth whitening services.

The rules do not allow just any dentist or oral hygienist to carry out the procedure.

One of the board rules confines oral hygienists to only provide clinical services in areas they have been educated, trained and are experienced in.

A second and more ethical rule pertains to practitioners administering professional services in appropriate settings and conditions. Only in cases of emergencies can this rule be relaxed.

These rules affect both independent oral hygienists and those in supervised practice.

HPCSA’s Daphney Chuma said: “It is clear that whilst the scope of practice allows oral hygienists to undertake teeth whitening, they may only do so if they comply with [the rules].”

She said the appropriate education, training and experience required could only be obtained from a PBDOH accredited training institution.

“Oral hygienists who did not receive training and education in teeth whitening as part of their undergraduate training or as part of their expanded functions course should not perform teeth whitening procedures.”

Chuma urged practitioners who were not sufficiently qualified to seek out accredited institutions and enhance their skills.