Thousands of people have their teeth whitened every year in High Streets and shopping centres, by staff with no formal dental training.
After complaints about poor treatment, the council says teeth whitening is a dental procedure so only dental professionals should administer it.
However, teeth-whitening companies say it is a cosmetic not dental process.
Bleaching methodsThe law in this area is unclear as teeth whitening was uncommon when the 1984 Dentists Act came into force.
The act says only dentists can perform dental procedures.
Teeth whitening is a way of lightening the natural colour of teeth using bleaching methods.
People often want it because their teeth have become discoloured through drinking, eating, smoking and with age.
One of the most common forms of teeth whitening is through laser treatment.
This involves putting a bleaching gel on the teeth, which are then exposed to an LED light for 15 to 30 minutes.
General Dental Council (GDC) chief executive and registrar Evlynne Gilvarry said: "Over the last few years we have received hundreds of complaints from the public and dental professionals about poor tooth whitening."
Bad experienceBBC Radio 5 live Breakfast spoke to Paula, who regrets having her teeth whitened at a beauty salon.
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