Teeth Whitening Trade Group Welcomes Federal Trade Commission Action against North Carolina

June 18, 2010 - PRLog -- Jasper, Al June 18, 2010 -- The Council for Cosmetic Teeth Whitening (CCTW) welcomed news that the Federal Trade Commission had initiated an action against the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners (the “Dental Board”), charging conspiracy to thwart competition in the teeth whitening business.  According to the FTC’s complaint filed Thursday, the Dental Board has impermissibly ordered non-dentists to stop providing teeth whitening services, which has made it harder to obtain these services and more expensive for North Carolina consumers.

The CCTW has been battling with dental boards in multiple states on behalf of the beauty industry for years, and was pleased the FTC had agreed with their arguments. “The Dental Board sent intimidating letters that scared the whole industry away from offering teeth whitening to their clients. They blocked our members from marketing their systems, and they stopped their clients from earning income from the service.  This cost many of our members their businesses,” explained Joyce Osborne, President and Founding Member of the CCTW.   “We often felt powerless – how can you argue with a state agency that has the authority and wants you out of the way?”

The CCTW is still fighting several similar cases, most of which are in the Southeast.  Many states do not regulate whitening outside the dental office at all, leaving operators to compete freely with dentists’ offerings and retailers that sell home-use products.  Other states have adopted new policies to allow the services to be offered under clear guidelines.  According the CCTW, North Carolina is only one of the states that the FTC has looked at with their help.  

The full complaint can be viewed at the FTC website at http://www.ftc.gov/os/adjpro/d9343/100617dentalexamcmpt.pdf

About the CCTW and Tooth Whitening for the Beauty Industry

Since 2008, the Council for Cosmetic Teeth Whitening has been recognized as the professional organization and voice of leading manufacturers, distributors and retailers of cosmetic tooth whitening products for the beauty industry.  Members of the CCTW include leading national and international cosmetic teeth whitening system and product manufacturers, importers and distributors, retail whitening business owners and operators, and aesthetic professionals that include cosmetic teeth whitening among the offerings in their beauty businesses.  

Members operate within the entire spectrum of beauty industry, from resort/hotel, destinations, medical spas and day spas, cruise ships, health clubs, fine salons, retail whitening centers, shopping center and mall kiosks, and other aesthetic centers.

Teeth whitening products that are marketed by CCTW members are similar to those offered by traditional retailers, including drug stores and specialty retailers.  Whether used at home or offered as a service, consumer-strength teeth whitening products have been proven safe and effective in more than 100 clinical studies over the last 25 years.  CCTW members market only products that are in compliance with the FDA, OSHA and follow the CCTW Best Practice Protocol.  The CCTW encourages anyone in the beauty industry that feels they are being unfairly treated by a state dental board, to contact the CCTW immediately at (205) 384-3640.

Contact:
CCTW, 593 Hwy 78W, Jasper, AL 35501
Phone: 205-384-3640 www.cctwonline.com

# # #

The Council for Cosmetic Teeth Whitening (CCTW) is a trade association devoted to the professional development of the Cosmetic Teeth Whitening industry in the United States.