New information involving a 6-week investigation we first exposed in May about discount teeth whitening in Tulsa Malls. One company has voluntarily shut-down it's locations.
The Oklahoma Board of Dentistry says if others don't shut down soon, the owners could be charged with a felony.
They promise to give you a whiter, brighter smile. In recent months five mall kiosks have popped up in Oklahoma. One is called iSmile and four were under the name Glamour White.
Our previous investigation showed workers from both companies in white lab coats, providing medical release forms to customers and whitening gels with instructions on how to perform the procedure themselves. At the time, The Board of Dentistry told us the kiosks were not registered through them as licensed dental professionals, yet gave the impression they were practicing dentistry to the average person.
They had already filed an injunction to shutdown the three Glamour White locations in the Oklahoma City area. Linda Campbell, Director of the Board of Dentistry says, "The board asked the Attorney General to file injunctive relief against this particular company because they did appear to be misleading and that their employees were practicing the illegal practice of dentistry."
As a result, just recently, Glamour White voluntarily shutdown all of their kiosks in Oklahoma, including a fourth, located in Tulsa's Woodland Hills Mall. Campbell adds, "I feel more confident because I believe the public is being protected."
iSmile, located at Tulsa's Promenade Mall is still open. Campbell says they have limited their staff to one employee and no longer wear white lab coats to give the appearance that they are following the law. But, Campbell says the board still has concerns. She says, "We are in the process of sending letters and talking to legal counsel. I am sure the Board of Dentistry will have it on their next agenda."
The Oklahoma Board of dentistry will meet again on August 1st to discuss iSmile. They hope to turn over the findings to the Attorney General's Office and will recommend that the AG seek an injunction. It's up to the courts to make a final decision about the legality of the teeth whitening kiosks.
However, as of November 1st of this year, a new state law says anyone found to be illegally practicing dentistry in Oklahoma will be guilty of a felony.
