The Tooth Whitening Notes Template (UK Legally Compliant)
A tooth whitening notes template captures the Cosmetic Products (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2012-compliant whitening episode — pre-treatment examination + contraindications (active caries, periodontitis, exposed dentine, pregnancy, under-18), age verification (≥18 mandatory), shade baseline, product hydrogen peroxide concentration ≤6% (or ≤16% carbamide peroxide) with batch number, first-use by dental professional documented, written consent, tray issue, and post-whitening review with sensitivity assessment — meeting Cosmetic Products Regulations 2012, GDC Tooth Whitening Position Statement, and Dental Protection guidance.
Providing whitening product at reception or posting trays without a face-to-face consultation breaches Cosmetic Products Regulations 2012 — and is the dominant indemnity issue in tooth whitening cases. Below is the legally compliant template UK clinicians paste into their PMS.
Download the free Tooth Whitening (In-Surgery or Take-Home) template — plain text, GDC/FGDP(UK)-aligned.
Why this tooth whitening (in-surgery or take-home) template wins
- AGE VERIFICATION line — Cosmetic Products Regulations 2012 LEGALLY mandatory.
- Product concentration within UK legal limits documented explicitly.
- First use by dental professional documented — the regulatory pre-condition.
- Pre-treatment examination + contraindications checked — regulatory + safety.
- WRITTEN consent + written post-op instructions — comprehensive cosmetic procedure record.
Compliance: the medico-legal angle
- Cosmetic Products (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 — UK PRIMARY legal instrument: ≤6% HP / ≤16% CP, ≥18 years, first use by/under supervision of dentist.
- GDC Tooth Whitening Position Statement — first-use restriction, illegal tooth whitening enforcement.
- Dental Protection Tooth Whitening guidance.
- Montgomery — cosmetic procedure consent requirements.
Common mistakes UK dentists make
- Posting trays without face-to-face consultation — REGULATORY BREACH, illegal supply.
- Providing whitening to under-18 — REGULATORY BREACH (paediatric whitening only by specialist for specific medical indication, e.g. tetracycline staining, with extra controls).
- Using product over UK limits (>6% HP / >16% CP) — REGULATORY BREACH.
- No batch number documented — MHRA traceability + audit trail.
- No pre-treatment examination — regulatory pre-condition unmet.
Frequently asked questions
What's the UK legal limit on whitening concentration?
6% hydrogen peroxide (HP) or 16% carbamide peroxide (CP, equivalent). Products above these limits are illegal for tooth whitening in the UK under Cosmetic Products Regulations 2012. Higher concentrations (e.g. 35% HP for in-surgery procedures) are only legal in specific licensed contexts and most products at 35% are not UK-compliant for dental whitening. Check product label.
Why does "first use by dentist" matter?
Cosmetic Products Regulations 2012 require the FIRST application of any tooth whitening product to be performed by or under the direct supervision of a registered dental professional. This means: in-surgery first treatment, OR take-home with first tray loaded and demonstrated chairside. Posting trays to a patient without this supervision is illegal supply.
Can I whiten under-18s?
No — Cosmetic Products Regulations 2012 prohibit tooth whitening for under-18s. Exception: licensed dental professional may use higher-concentration product for specific medical indications (e.g. severe tetracycline staining causing psychological distress) with additional safeguards. Standard cosmetic whitening for aesthetic purposes is illegal under 18.
What if a patient has caries or periodontitis?
Whitening is contraindicated until active disease is treated. The whitening product penetrates active caries (pulp irritation) and irritates inflamed gingival tissues. Treat the disease, achieve stability, then whiten. Document the contraindication and the treatment of the underlying issue.
Does whitening damage enamel?
At UK legal concentrations and supervised use: clinically insignificant enamel impact. Higher concentrations or excessive use can cause demineralisation. Sensitivity is the most common side effect (transient). Document the warning.
How often can patients top up?
Typically every 12-18 months as colour relapses. Some patients use occasional single-tray top-ups. Document the maintenance plan. Encourage stain prevention (dietary advice) to extend results.