A woman has been prosecuted for illegal teeth whitening in Thorpe St Andrew.

The UK's regulator of dental practice, the General Dental Council (GDC), brought a case against Catherine Davies for unlawfully practising dentistry at Oasis Sport and Leisure Complex in Pound Lane.

By law all dentists, dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental therapists and orthodontic therapists must be registered with the GDC to work in the UK.

This is to ensure only appropriately qualified and skilled dental professionals are part of the dental team looking after patients.

Davies, whose age and address were not stated, appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, April 30.

She pleaded guilty to unlawfully practising dentistry contrary to the Dentists Act 1984 and unlawfully carrying on the business of dentistry.

The case was brought after she unlawfully practised dentistry, namely tooth whitening, and unlawfully carried on the business of dentistry on January 6.

Davies, who has never been registered with the GDC, was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs to the GDC of £300 and compensation of £99 to the complainant.

She must also pay a £15 victim surcharge.

Tooth whitening is the practice of dentistry.

This means that, in accordance with the law, it must only be carried out by registered dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists and clinical dental technicians working to the prescription of a dentist.

Patients can check their dental professional is registered by logging on to the GDC's website www.gdc-uk.org