Teeth whitening products

Australian laws mean only registered dental practitioners can use or supply high-concentration teeth whitening products (over 18% carbamide peroxide or 6% hydrogen peroxide).

Dental practitioners must:

• comply with the Guidelines for non-surgical cosmetic procedures
• comply with the Dental Board’s Code of conduct - ensure safe, effective care and act in the patient’s best interests
• comply with medicines and poisons and consumer laws
• comply with the comply with the Dental Board’s Scope of practice registration standard and guidelines - only provide treatments in which they are educated, trained and competent

Teeth whitening products can be supplied for home use if the patient is assessed as suitable. This includes:

• carrying out an appropriate assessment and examination
• considering their history
• applying the principles of risk minimisation and management (see section 7 of the Code of conduct).

All advertising must comply with:

• National Law advertising requirements
• Guidelines for advertising a regulated health service
• Guidelines for advertising non-surgical cosmetic procedures
• State and Territory restrictions on advertising controlled substances
• TGA regulations for advertising

Additional resources are available via Ahpra’s Advertising Hub.

Dental practitioners who supply or sell teeth whitening products for home use must meet the Australian Consumer Law. This includes:

• consumer-guarantees that products are of acceptable quality
• replacing, repairing or refunding a product in certain circumstances, and
• compensating a patient for damages and loss