Teeth Whitening Services in Malls or Salons

If you visit a dentist, he or she must first examine you to determine if teeth whitening is appropriate for you. The Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board says, "It is essential that a dentist examine and diagnose a patient before proceeding with teeth whitening or delegating that procedure to anyone within a dental office."

The Wisconsin Department of Justice, however, doesn't consider teeth whitening as practicing dentistry. This makes it legal for non-dentists who have no education or skill in all the other important aspects of oral health to do teeth whitening outside a dental office and without a dentist's diagnosis.

The WDA recommends patients consult with a dentist to see if teeth whitening is right for them and, if so, have the treatment done by a dentist or under the supervision of one.