The outgoing National President of the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr. Tope Adeyemi, has declared that providing dental treatments, particularly teeth whitening, scaling, and polishing in beauty parlours, is illegal. He cautioned that individuals undergoing teeth whitening procedures at these establishments face serious health risks, including tooth sensitivity and even death.
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the dentin beneath the enamel is exposed, leading to discomfort when consuming hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks. Dr. Adeyemi pointed out that most beauticians performing these services are not licensed dentists and lack the necessary training to ensure patient safety.
He expressed concern over the insufficient collaboration with law enforcement to shut down salons offering illegal dental services.
Reports of such establishments often lead to no significant action being taken.
Dr. Adeyemi urged law enforcement agencies to work with the NDA to close down these illegal clinics for the well-being of the public.
According to PUNCH Healthwise, there has been a surge in beauty parlours and salons providing dental services like teeth whitening alongside traditional beauty treatments such as facials and hairstyling.
Investigations revealed that many of these locations do not have designated areas for dental procedures. Additionally, procedures are often performed by attendants who do not wear proper protective gear like masks or gloves.
The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom states that teeth whitening should only be conducted by a dentist or another regulated dental professional on a dentist’s prescription. WebMD defines teeth whitening as a procedure designed to lighten tooth color and remove stains. Methods include sanding down stains and using bleach or ultraviolet light therapy, with active ingredients typically being hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
The Public Health section of the European Commission reports that 62% of individuals using teeth whitening products containing hydrogen peroxide experienced hypersensitivity, while 45.9% reported irritation of soft tissues.
The World Health Organization highlights that oral diseases affect approximately 3.5 billion people globally, causing pain, discomfort, disfigurement, and even death. Dr. Adeyemi noted that beauticians lack the training required to identify or treat complications arising from these procedures. He emphasized that scaling and polishing, as well as teeth whitening, are forms of treatment that should only be performed by trained dental professionals.
In conclusion, Dr. Adeyemi reiterated the need for law enforcement to collaborate with the NDA to ensure the closure of illegal dental clinics for the safety and health of citizens.
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