Ident Training

Tooth Whitening and Facial Aesthetics

We wanted to make a post regarding our stance on the rise of illegal tooth whitening and facial aesthetic practise and make you aware of some of the guidelines related to these topics.

As of the 1st of June 2025, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) have strengthened their position on remote prescribing of non-surgical cosmetic medicines and aesthetic emergency items

What does this mean?

Botulinum Toxin A, commonly referred to as Botox, is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) and therefore can only be prescribed by a registered medical professional.
The NMC state that from the 1st of June 2025 a registered medical professional must have a face to face consultation with the patient/client before prescribing the POM for use. This also includes the POM reversal agent for dermal fillers, hyaluronidase.

Who can prescribe?

Doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and midwives with the appropriate prescribing qualification. All professionals must be registered with their appropriate regulatory body (GMC, GDC, NMC etc).

Tooth Whitening

As a team of qualified and registered dental professionals, we take a particularly strong stance regarding illegal tooth whitening practise, as do the General Dental Council.

The GDC state “Dentists train for several years to safely offer this treatment. They are able to assess whether a patient is suitable for the treatment, whether there are reasons that they should not have it and they can intervene if an emergency situation arises. Someone who has done a short training course cannot offer this treatment legally or safely. You may be placing yourself at risk of harm if you see someone who is not properly qualified and registered”

Delivering illegal tooth whitening is a criminal offence and those providing these services can be prosecuted in criminal court.

Who can prescribe tooth whitening?

Only dentists can prescribe tooth whitening. You must have a consultation with your dentist to assess suitability prior to prescribing.

Who can deliver tooth whitening?

Dentists and dental hygienists, dental therapists and clinical dental technicians working under the prescription of the dentist and following initial consultation with the dentist.

More Information can be found on these useful links

https://www.nmc.org.uk/news/news-and-updates/nmc-to-update-position-on-remote-prescribing-of-non-surgical-cosmetic-medicines/

https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/standards-for-post-registration/standards-for-prescribers/useful-information-for-prescribers/

https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/information-for-patients-public/tooth-whitening-and-illegal-practice

https://www.gdc-uk.org/raising-concerns/illegal-practice-and-reporting-it

Illegal practice and how to report it Anyone not registered with the GDC who offers dental services is practising illegally. This includes offering dental treatment or advice, tooth whitening, dentures and braces. They must not call themselves dentists or other dental titles, or receive payment for dental treatments or advice.

Stephen Kerr MSP addressing the impact that Skills Development Scotland’s freeze is having on Modern Apprenticeship training providers, like ourselves

Stephen Kerr MSP on Twitter “I asked the Presiding Officer what options exist for members to have a SNP Minister come to the chamber to explain what he meant by “there is no freeze on apprenticeships this year”, when, clearly, there is a freeze on apprenticeships?”

Some of you who have current trainees with us, will be aware of the Scottish Government and skills development Scotland ‘freeze’ on funding and places on the modern apprenticeship programme.

This is affecting us here at Ident and every other dental training provider plus all other industries across Scotland. Please see the link below that lets you know how extensive this freeze is.

Please help us and other Modern Apprenticeship training providers out by sharing this post and making noise about the freeze to our funding.

Our profession and our practices are already struggling and this compounds it.

Apprenticeship freeze causes closure fears for training providers - STF Training providers who deliver apprenticeships in Scotland will have to make redundancies – or completely close their business – in the next few months without Scottish Government intervention. And these […]

Apprenticeship freeze causes closure fears for training providers - STF Training providers who deliver apprenticeships in Scotland will have to make redundancies – or completely close their business – in the next few months without Scottish Government intervention. And these […]

As a mark of respect to Queen Elizabeth II, Ident Training will be closed on Monday 19th September, for the day of her funeral.

The team will not be available on to answer any queries or take calls on this day.

If there is something of an urgent nature that cannot wait until the team return to work on Tuesday the 20th of September, then you can contact Helen directly at [email protected].

Many thanks,
Ident Training

So Ident are wrapping up another year of hard work! Which also wraps up 10 years of Ident!

We are so thankful to every practice and student that have kept the team ever so busy over the last 10 years of training

We wish you all the best over the winter break and hope you all have a relaxing time with family and friends 💙

VACANCIES

We are recruiting for trainee dental nurses throughout Scotland!
If you are interested in a career in dental nursing, you can apply through our Ident Training website, the apprenticeship.scot website and directly by emailing your CV and cover letter to [email protected] detailing which practice(s) you wish to apply for.

VACANCIES:
Academy Dental Practice in Coatbridge
Allander Dental Care in Milngavie
Coatbridge Family Dental Care
L.C Milton BDS in Glasgow
Tryst Dental Practice in Larbert

Ident Training website application form: https://www.identtraining.com/contact-us
Apprenticeship.scot website: https://www.apprenticeships.scot/find-a-vacancy/?keywords=ident&location=&distance=15&type=&jobCategory=&qualification=&sortType=relevance&page=1

VACANCY
We are recruiting for a trainee dental nurse in Bonnybridge.
If you are interested in a career in dental nursing, you can apply through our Ident Training website, the apprenticeship.scot website and directly by emailing your CV and cover letter to [email protected].

VACANCY:

Bonnybridge Dental Practice

Ident Training website application form: https://www.identtraining.com/contact-us
Apprenticeship.scot website:
https://www.apprenticeships.scot/vacancy-details/?refCode=136873

Some basic life support CPD for our assessors today. Even we have to keep our knowledge and skills up to date!

VACANCIES

We are recruiting for trainee dental nurses throughout Scotland!
If you are interested in a career in dental nursing, you can apply through our Ident Training website, the apprenticeship.scot website and directly by emailing your CV and cover letter to [email protected] detailing which practice(s) you wish to apply for.

VACANCIES:

Cherrybank Dental Spa in Edinburgh
DG Smile in Dumfries
Links Dental Practice in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh
Long & Gilmour in Bo'ness
Queen's Drive Dental Practice in Glasgow
The Tooth Doctor in Carluke
Whitemoss Dental Practice in East Kilbride
Windmill Dental Care in Motherwell
Rutherglen HC Dental in Rutherglen

Ident Training website application form: https://www.identtraining.com/contact-us

Apprenticeship.scot website: https://www.apprenticeships.scot/find-a-vacancy/?keywords=ident&location=&distance=15&type=&jobCategory=&qualification=&sortType=relevance&page=1

Some lovely news for the team this week!
Our assessor Chloe has safely had her baby boy Luca-bleu 💙
Congratulations from us all 🎉

We are recruiting for trainee dental nurses throughout Scotland!
If you are interested in a career in dental nursing, you can apply through our Ident Training website, the Apprenticeship.scot website and directly by emailing your CV and cover letter to [email protected] detailing which practice(s) you wish to apply for.

VACANCIES:

Church Street Dental Practice in Dumbarton
Davidson's Mains Dental in Edinburgh
Gretna Dental Practice in Gretna

https://www.identtraining.com/vacancies