Today, March 20, is celebrated World Oral Health Day. A date that this year takes on special relevance, due to the information published in recent days about the disastrous consequences that certain dental aligners that are advertised on social networks and sold on the internet are causing.

The General Council of Dentists has been alerting the population for years about the risks involved in purchasing certain health products on online platforms, such as teeth whitening, relief splints for bruxism or dental aligners. “It is really worrying how these companies that advertise, above all, on social networks, and that hire influencers without any health knowledge to promote these items among their thousands of followers have proliferated,” says Dr. Óscar Castro Reino, president of the General Council of Dentists.

Likewise, the Collegiate Organization has reported on many occasions before the AEMPS (Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products) and before the Administration - which are the competent bodies to act - that some websites sell directly to consumers items that can only be used by health professionals, which represents a serious danger.



dental aligners

In recent days, several cases of patients affected by the use of dental aligners purchased on the internet have come to light. Most saw the advertisement repeatedly on social media and believed the “quick and cheaper treatment” message. On the platforms of those affected by these products, they report not having been seen by a dentist, having paid for the treatment without receiving the aligners, and even having lost teeth. The president of the Council explains that the modus operandi of all these companies is similar: “They advertise, offer and sell invisible orthodontic treatments to the public through their websites and social networks, creating the appearance that they are health centers, when The reality is that many do not have the necessary authorization to do so because they are simply manufacturers or distributors. It is the patient who takes the photos with their mobile phone and sends them through an application. According to these images, the company sends him all the aligners for the treatment, without having been previously diagnosed and without any type of follow-up by a dentist. And of course, hence the serious health consequences that we are seeing. For this reason, months ago we reported to the AEMPS and the Administration 6 merchants that sell these products."

The General Council of Dentists insists that before starting any oral treatment (orthodontics, teeth whitening, etc.) it is essential that the dentist carry out a complete study of the patient's mouth (history, intraoral, extraoral and functional examination, x-rays , impressions, etc.). Once the results of these tests are available, the dentist will make the diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan. Once the treatment has started, the dentist will follow up. Furthermore, Dr. Castro remembers that “the dentist is the only professional trained to diagnose and treat oral problems. And of course, before going to a dental clinic you have to make sure that the dentist who is going to treat you is licensed.”



Health advertising law

These cases of fraud could be avoided if in Spain there was a state health advertising law that prevented companies and influencers from sending confusing and misleading messages to the population, without a scientific basis, inciting consumption and ensuring excellent results from treatments that can lead to serious harm to people. health. “All the Health Councils have been insisting for years on the need for this law to be approved, but Congress overturned the proposal registered by the PP in 2022. In any case, we continue working to make it a reality as soon as possible. This law does not respond to any political interest, its only objective is to ensure the health of citizens, which is the most precious asset that human beings have. That is why we ask all political parties to put aside their ideological differences and focus on reaching an agreement to protect the population,” concludes Dr. Castro.