Prosecution and fine for illegal tooth whitening

Sharon Dibbo, from Rotherham, pleaded guilty at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court to offering the treatment unlawfully – at Lipstick Lounge, in Rotherham, Yorkshire. Ms Dibbo is not a qualified dental professional and is not registered with the General Dental Council, meaning that she cannot legally perform the act of dentistry in the United Kingdom.

She was fined £700 and ordered to pay both a £70 victim surcharge and the full costs of £2,285.92 to the General Dental Council.

Victoria Sheppard-Jones, interim head of the illegal practice team, said, “This shows how serious both the GDC and the magistrates’ courts take the illegal practice of dentistry. We hope this outcome will encourage patients to ensure that when they seek dental treatment – such as teeth whitening – they check whether the practitioner is registered with the GDC.

“The GDC’s role is to protect patients and work to maintain public confidence in the dental profession. Part of the way we achieve this is by regulating dental professionals and investigating and, where appropriate prosecuting, cases of illegal practice.