Insurance for teeth whitening

[Carlalouise]

Hi all

We have a client who is a Dentist and she would love to come and work within our salon teeth whitening, however even though she is qualified her insurance company wont insure her as they feel " practising in a beauty salon, will bring the dentistry profession down".

Does anyone know of an insurance company that isn't up their own backsides and would happily insure a qualified practising Dentist???

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Calabango]

Hi all

We have a client who is a Dentist and she would love to come and work within our salon teeth whitening, however even though she is qualified her insurance company wont insure her as they feel " practising in a beauty salon, will bring the dentistry profession down".

Does anyone know of an insurance company that isn't up their own backsides and would happily insure a qualified practising Dentist???

Many thanks in advance!

Very unlikely as the problem is much more likely to be a beauty salon doesn't have the equipment such as X Ray machines ,periodontal probes , etc to make sure the person is dentally fit enough to have tooth whitening and so it would be medico legally indefensible.

Any dentist has to have registration with the GDC and indemnity insurance to cover all dental work. If they are not working as a dentist elsewhere they may not be registered as a dentist. If they are not registered, even if they have qualified as a dentist, it is just as illegal for them to whiten teeth as it is for any other member of the public.

 

[PamieD]

Surprised a dentist would do this to be honest, would be better to have a referral system no? Dentistry is a closed profession, they're regulated in a different way so although you might not like what they say you mustn't take it personally. It's a blanket policy to protect the public at the end of the day.

 

[Carlalouise]

Very unlikely as the problem is much more likely to be a beauty salon doesn't have the equipment such as X Ray machines ,periodontal probes , etc to make sure the person is dentally fit enough to have tooth whitening and so it would be medico legally indefensible.

Any dentist has to have registration with the GDC and indemnity insurance to cover all dental work. If they are not working as a dentist elsewhere they may not be registered as a dentist. If they are not registered, even if they have qualified as a dentist, it is just as illegal for them to whiten teeth as it is for any other member of the public.

She owns her own practise and has done for over 30 years, it's not a case of needing any equipment, anyone can have their teeth whitened with this product, it's a quick check and a prescription for the home use whitening kit. Our reasons for doing it in the salon is we could not refer as her practise is over 35 miles away.

 

[BannerPenguin]

Home use whitening kits are very dodgy. Even if prescribed. It should actual be done at a dental practice.

 

[beautyxperts]

She owns her own practise and has done for over 30 years, it's not a case of needing any equipment, anyone can have their teeth whitened with this product, it's a quick check and a prescription for the home use whitening kit. Our reasons for doing it in the salon is we could not refer as her practise is over 35 miles away.

Are you talking about a dentist coming into your salon to take impressions of a clients teeth and send off to make the gum trays to use at home with the whitening gel prescribed & sold by dentists?
If her insurance covers her then it should be no problem but if not then no she cannot do it.

 

[beautyxperts]

Are you talking about a dentist coming into your salon to take impressions of a clients teeth and send off to make the gum trays to use at home with the whitening gel prescribed & sold by dentists?
If her insurance covers her then it should be no problem but if not then no she cannot do it and by what you've written they've said no, she's have to declare with any new insurance company that this has previously been refused by another insurer - if that's not declared then new insurance can be void. Just because she is a dentist with 30 years experience if insurance & GDC say no then not really anything you can do apart from a referral scheme X

 

[Carlalouise]

Home use whitening kits are very dodgy. Even if prescribed. It should actual be done at a dental practice.

I think she know's what she's doing, she's ownes a dental practise and been a Dentist for over 30 years with an excellent reputation. That's exactly what my Dentist offers, it's prescribed and you use with gum shields at home every evening, this way is a safe and widely used way of teeth whitening unlike some of the "dodgy" practices that go on with the laser etc, you know the one's you see at the beauty show that you and I supposedly can use.

 

[Carlalouise]

Are you talking about a dentist coming into your salon to take impressions of a clients teeth and send off to make the gum trays to use at home with the whitening gel prescribed & sold by dentists?
If her insurance covers her then it should be no problem but if not then no she cannot do it.

Yes that's exactly what I'm talking about, her insurance wont cover her in a beauty salon because they think it's degrading to the profession, however they'll cover her to do it at peoples homes!, this is why she is looking into getting a separate insurance.

 

[Calabango]

It is not safe to provide teeth whitening without a full dental check up. That can only be done at a cqc registered dental practice, or on domicillary (home ) visits that are provided for medical reasons to known patients with mobile dental units, full emergency drugs kit, oxygen etc.. That check up if not on a patient that is known should include x rays. It is not just a case of taking impressions and allowing someone to put strong chemicals on their teeth and gums. the reason only dentists can do teeth whitening is you have to clinically assess someone as being healthy enough to whiten teeth. That cannot be done in a beauty clinic.If the main dental providers (DPL DDU) will not provide cover it is not to protect dentists reputations that is nothing to do with an insurance company , it is because providing tooth whitening without a proper dental check up is negligence.

Here is the advice from a dental insurance company, it is not enough to have "a quick look round" a treatment plan must be formulated , that cannot be done without a proper check up and x rays to spot hidden decay and gum disease.

General practice
The GDC regards all tooth whitening procedures, including bleach and laser treatment, as the practice of dentistry. It adds that as with any treatment, dental professionals must:

• Act in the best interests of the patient in providing a high standard of care.
• Obtain fully informed consent for treatment, which they must be competent to carry out.
• Obtain a medical history of the patient before starting treatment.
• Give necessary explanations about benefits and risks.

When providing tooth bleaching treatment, we advise that dental professionals should make a complete, clear and contemporaneous record of their treatment plan, the consent process, any instructions given to the patient (such as how to continue the treatment at home) and any adverse outcome.

This is an important part of effective patient care and can also provide evidence that you have complied with the law.

Tooth bleaching is included in our subscription rates for dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists. If you are a dental hygienist or therapist, in order to be able to seek indemnity, you need to be suitably trained, have a treatment plan from a dentist who has assessed the patient and decided the patient is suitable for the treatment, and you need to let us know that you are doing this type of work.

If you are a member you can contact our 24-hour advisory helpline on 0800 374 626 if you have specific queries or concerns about tooth bleaching.

 

[PamieD]

Carla, I'm going to say it again, don't take something like that personally. It's not about your own salon or our profession, it's about medical insurance and setting a precedent. If they allow one person to do it then they'll have to do the same for every dentist, and while your friend is responsible there are plenty who are not. It may not make sense to you why a person's home is ok but a salon isn't, but that's how insurance works. Otherwise we'll all have to start paying huge amounts for our premiums. I think other types of teeth whitening insurance are more for the non-effective types you mention rather than something like this. I really wouldn't go ahead if I were you, but it's your decision in the end.

 

[Carlalouise]

It is not safe to provide teeth whitening without a full dental check up. That can only be done at a cqc registered dental practice, or on domicillary (home ) visits that are provided for medical reasons to known patients with mobile dental units, full emergency drugs kit, oxygen etc.. That check up if not on a patient that is known should include x rays. It is not just a case of taking impressions and allowing someone to put strong chemicals on their teeth and gums. the reason only dentists can do teeth whitening is you have to clinically assess someone as being healthy enough to whiten teeth. That cannot be done in a beauty clinic.If the main dental providers (DPL DDU) will not provide cover it is not to protect dentists reputations that is nothing to do with an insurance company , it is because providing tooth whitening without a proper dental check up is negligence.

Here is the advice from a dental insurance company, it is not enough to have "a quick look round" a treatment plan must be formulated , that cannot be done without a proper check up and x rays to spot hidden decay and gum disease.

General practice
The GDC regards all tooth whitening procedures, including bleach and laser treatment, as the practice of dentistry. It adds that as with any treatment, dental professionals must:

• Act in the best interests of the patient in providing a high standard of care.
• Obtain fully informed consent for treatment, which they must be competent to carry out.
• Obtain a medical history of the patient before starting treatment.
• Give necessary explanations about benefits and risks.

When providing tooth bleaching treatment, we advise that dental professionals should make a complete, clear and contemporaneous record of their treatment plan, the consent process, any instructions given to the patient (such as how to continue the treatment at home) and any adverse outcome.

This is an important part of effective patient care and can also provide evidence that you have complied with the law.

Tooth bleaching is included in our subscription rates for dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists. If you are a dental hygienist or therapist, in order to be able to seek indemnity, you need to be suitably trained, have a treatment plan from a dentist who has assessed the patient and decided the patient is suitable for the treatment, and you need to let us know that you are doing this type of work.

If you are a member you can contact our 24-hour advisory helpline on 0800 374 626 if you have specific queries or concerns about tooth bleaching.

Thank you for your info, she has the appropriate insurance in place.

 

[Carlalouise]

Carla, I'm going to say it again, don't take something like that personally. It's not about your own salon or our profession, it's about medical insurance and setting a precedent. If they allow one person to do it then they'll have to do the same for every dentist, and while your friend is responsible there are plenty who are not. It may not make sense to you why a person's home is ok but a salon isn't, but that's how insurance works. Otherwise we'll all have to start paying huge amounts for our premiums. I think other types of teeth whitening insurance are more for the non-effective types you mention rather than something like this. I really wouldn't go ahead if I were you, but it's your decision in the end.

I'ts all good, she's now covered with her insurance company and will be renting the room from me, all covered and all insured and I'll have a copy to protect myself, thank you for all your advice.

 

[caosumpter]

Home use whitening kits are very dodgy. Even if prescribed. It should actual be done at a dental practice.

You are quite right, there was a programme on last year done at Kings College Dental Hospital in Camberwell. Dr Wyman Chan a leading teeth whitening lecturer tried all the available off the shelf teeth whitening systems the prices ranges from £5 to £50 and they all gave less than half a shade lighter if you followed the manufacturers instructions fully and under full supervision of the dental hospital. In other words a total waste of money.
A word of warning about non peroxide products, it does not mean they are safe. Many products contain Sodium Perborate which has been banned in the EU for use in cosmetic products since 2010, if it comes into contact with skin it has been found to be carcinogenic, causes foetal abnormalities and fertility issues.
Chlorine dioxide is another frequently used chemical in 'non peroxide' whitening preparations. It is commonly used by dentists as acid etch and is in a surgery environment only let on the teeth for a maximum of 30 seconds as it will eventually strip the enamel from the teeth. Teeth whitening products that contain it will remove the enamel from your teeth and they will turn a brown shade within days.