AN unregistered dental worker faces a £4,500 court bill after carrying out teeth whitening illegally in Walkden.

Janet Johnstone was found guilty of carrying out the work at Simply Chic Teeth Whitening on August 5 last year.

She has never been registered with the General Dental Council (GDC)and was not a qualified dental nurse.

An investigation into Johnstone was launched following a visit from Trading Standards officers to the Walkden outlet.

The GDC then sent investigators to look into the concerns raised.

Simply Chic Teeth Whitening has since disbanded, and no-one from the company was available to comment on the case.

The business in Bolton Road, Walkden, became Simply Chic Health and Beauty in December last year, a spokesman confirmed.

Johnstone, aged 42, of Manchester Road, Tyldesley, was fined £1,750 and ordered to pay GDC costs of £2,500, as well as a £200 victim surcharge.

She was found guilty in her absence at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (January 21) of holding herself out as being prepared to practise dentistry, namely teeth whitening, contrary to Section 38 (1) and (2) of the Dentists Act 1984.

A spokesman for the GDC said: "Ms Johnstone is not a dental nurse and she has never been registered with the GDC.

"Only GDC registered dental professionals are legally allowed to practise dentistry in the UK, so the prosecution has not resulted in her being banned from practising dentistry — she was never allowed to do this in the first place.

"We were alerted to this case following a referral from Trading Standards in Salford, following which our investigators and solicitors investigated and gathered evidence."

Legally, teeth whitening can only be carried out by individuals who are regulated by the GDC, specifically dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, or clinical dental technicians working to a dentist's prescription.

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