Importance of Reviews in Choosing Safe Teeth Whitening Providers

The rise of unlicensed teeth whitening - and what it means for patients and dental practices

A recent BBC News investigation has exposed a worrying trend: unlicensed practitioners offering teeth-whitening treatments across beauty salons, online marketplaces and social media.

While many people assume whitening is a cosmetic treatment like hair colouring, the reality is far more serious. Whitening products use chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide, which can cause burns, nerve damage, and permanent enamel loss if not handled correctly.

Under UK law, teeth whitening can only be carried out by a qualified dental professional registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) - yet illegal providers continue to operate nationwide.

Why illegal whitening is so dangerous

According to the Oral Health Foundation, illegal whitening has increased by more than 25% in a single year.
Common issues include:

• Unsafe levels of bleaching agents used by untrained providers

• Irreversible gum and nerve damage

• Lack of medical screening for oral health conditions

• No professional aftercare or recourse if something goes wrong

The real risk? Patients believe they’re saving money - but end up paying much more to fix the damage.

The power of independent feedback

In a time when anyone can claim to offer “professional” whitening, impartial feedback has never been more important.

For patients, verified reviews help separate trustworthy, licensed dental providers from unregulated operators.

For dental practices, authentic feedback builds the credibility that drives patient confidence, online visibility and practice growth.

“When it comes to your smile, trust matters. Genuine patient feedback is what helps people make the right choice - safely.”
- Philip Molden, Co-Founder, Working Feedback

How Working Feedback helps patients choose safely

Thousands of patients each month use Working Feedback to find trusted dental practices across the UK.

Because all reviews are independently verified and published transparently, patients can be confident they’re reading real experiences from real people - not anonymous comments or marketing claims.

Here are just a few examples from practices using Working Feedback:

• Barkhill Dental Practice, Bradford “The Zoom whitening was done today & I look (& more importantly feel) like a different person - confident & happy with my smile.”

• Apollo Dental Health Clinic, Southend-On-Sea “Been patient here for 20 years for check ups, hygienist and Invisalign and teething whitening - always found them excellent with consistent long term staff.”

• Pearl Dental Clinic, London – “Had a teeth whitening course at Pearl Dental Clinic and all was very satisfactory.”

These kinds of genuine testimonials not only reassure potential patients but also help practices stand out on Google for terms like “safe teeth whitening near me” or “dentist whitening reviews UK.”

How to choose a safe teeth-whitening provider

If you’re considering whitening, here’s what to look for:

• The treatment is carried out by a registered dental professional (check GDCorg)
• The practice provides informed consent and aftercare
• The whitening gel used is approved and legally compliant
• The provider has independent reviews showing proven results and patient care
• The clinic operates from a registered dental surgery, not a salon

If a provider cannot clearly meet these points: walk away!

For dental practices: why feedback matters more than ever

Illegal whitening stories damage patient trust across the entire dental sector.

That’s why building a strong online reputation is vital for every legitimate practice offering cosmetic treatments.

With Working Feedback, you can:

• Collect verified patient reviews automatically via integration with your practice software

• Publish reviews directly to your website, Google, and social media

• Monitor trends around whitening and cosmetic dentistry through real-time insights

• Showcase your reputation to attract new patients and protect against misinformation

When patients see consistent, verified feedback, it reassures them they’re choosing safely - and that their smile is in professional hands.

Final thoughts

The surge in illegal teeth-whitening providers highlights one thing above all: trust is everything.

Patients don’t just want brighter teeth; they want peace of mind. And that starts with feedback they can trust.

If you’re a dental practice offering whitening, make sure your reviews reflect your expertise, professionalism and results.
If you’re a patient looking for whitening, let real feedback guide your choice.

Ready to build trust through feedback?

Join over 900 UK dental practices using Working Feedback to boost reputation, visibility and patient confidence.

👉 Contact Working Feedback
👉 See how reviews drive growth for dental practices