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.
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.
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
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.”
If you’re considering whitening, here’s what to look for:
If a provider cannot clearly meet these points: walk away!
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.
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.
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