Navigating the World of Teeth Whitening Businesses: Legalities, Options, and Considerations
As the demand for brighter, whiter smiles continues to grow, many dental professionals are considering the potential of starting their own teeth whitening business. This booming trend raises several questions: Is it legal to run a teeth whitening business? Can it be done from home? Where should you source your products? Is certification necessary? Let's explore these queries to help you make informed decisions in the world of cosmetic teeth whitening.
Is It Legal to Start a Teeth Whitening Business?
Teeth whitening is generally categorized as an unlicensed cosmetic procedure in most countries. This classification is why you often see chairside teeth whitening services performed outside traditional dental offices. To put it in perspective, consider other cosmetic services like eyelash extensions, microblading, or tattoo artistry. These services, similar to teeth whitening, typically do not require a specific license, diploma, or degree, as they fall into the category of unregulated practices without a governing body to enforce regulations.
However, the lack of strict regulation doesn't mean these services are unmonitored. Public health authorities play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of these unregulated services, but that's a topic for another discussion.
Cosmetic vs. Dental Office Chairside Teeth Whitening
Understanding the distinction between cosmetic chairside teeth whitening and dental office chairside teeth whitening can be confusing. In dental offices, the term "dental grade" products is used. These products, sourced from dental distributors, have undergone extensive research and testing, ensuring their safety and effectiveness. Dental chairside gels typically have hydrogen peroxide (HP) concentrations ranging from 16% to 40%. However, due to the controlled nature of these products and their high cost, teeth whitening in dental offices can be quite expensive, often ranging between $400 to $700.
In contrast, cosmetic teeth whitening products are often sourced from less reliable suppliers, lacking the comprehensive research and quality assurance found in dental-grade products. These suppliers may import products without complete knowledge of their contents, reactions, or true strengths. Consequently, many cosmetic teeth whitening suppliers end up selling similar low-quality products under different brand names. Due to the low cost of these subpar products, cosmetic teeth whitening services can significantly undercut dental office prices, with sessions ranging from as low as $80 to around $200.
The HP concentration in these cosmetic products typically varies between 16% to 20%, as some providers are cautious about the legal implications of using higher concentrations without a dentist's supervision. However, some push the boundaries by using gels with HP concentrations as high as 30% to 40%. It's important to note that cosmetic insurance companies do not cover the use of gels with over 25% HP concentration, implying that the industry should ideally not use anything stronger.
Starting Your Own Teeth Whitening Business: Key Considerations
If you're a dental professional contemplating starting a teeth whitening business, here are some crucial points to consider:
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Legal Compliance: Verify the legal requirements and regulations in your country or region regarding teeth whitening services. While it's generally unlicensed, local laws and guidelines might have specific stipulations. Mentorrach is a great resource to review your local requirements
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Training and Certification: Although not always legally required as a dental professional, obtaining proper training and certification can enhance your credibility and ensure you provide safe, effective treatments. Insurance premiums can be offered at a lower rate with both dental diploma & whitening certification. Fern has the top teeth whitening certification for you
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Quality of Products: Choose your product suppliers carefully. Quality and safety should be your top priorities, even if it means a higher cost. Fern purposefully built a high quality yet affordable line of superior chairside gels.
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Insurance and Liability: Ensure that you have appropriate insurance coverage, remember anything over 25% hp is not covered and in some countries products with fluoride are also not covered. Fern is a fluoride free based company
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Pricing and Market Positioning: Consider your pricing strategy carefully. While undercutting dental office prices can attract more customers, it's important to balance affordability with quality and safety.
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Home-Based vs. Commercial Location: Decide whether you'll operate from a home-based setup or a commercial location. Each has its benefits and challenges, including zoning laws, client comfort, and overhead costs.
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Marketing and Client Education: Educate your clients about the teeth whitening process, the differences between cosmetic and dental-grade products, and aftercare. Effective marketing can differentiate your services in a competitive market.
By considering these factors, you can make a well-informed decision about starting a teeth whitening business and position yourself for success in this growing cosmetic industry. Remember, the key is to balance client safety, legal compliance, and business viability. Watch our blog for more information on this hot topic!
Fern Whitening Supplies Team