Banned Nail Polish Chemical Still Used in Portuguese Dental Treatments
A chemical compound that has been officially banned for use in cosmetic nail gels across the European Union is still reportedly being used in dental procedures in Portugal, raising serious concerns about regulatory oversight and patient health. The compound, Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO), is commonly used as a photoinitiator—a substance that initiates the polymerization process that hardens resins and gels when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.
Despite being widely used in cosmetics and dental materials, the European Commission classified TPO as a carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic to reproduction (CMR) substance, due to evidence suggesting potential risks of cancer, genetic damage, and reproductive harm. Consequently, the EU decided to ban the use of TPO in all cosmetic products, with the prohibition set to take effect on September 1, 2025.
However, reports from Portugal reveal that the Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas (OMD) — the country’s professional dental association — confirmed that TPO is still being used in several dental treatments, such as fissure sealing, tooth restoration, and whitening procedures. OMD claims that the quantity of TPO used in dental materials is significantly lower than in cosmetic products, though it did not provide specific figures.
Portugal’s Infarmed, the national authority responsible for medicines and health products, stated it has no evidence that TPO is present in dental materials currently approved for use. Nevertheless, it maintains surveillance over all cosmetic and medical substances and continues to enforce the EU ban on cosmetics containing TPO.
The situation has led to growing concern among European dental suppliers and health advocates, who fear that the current ban on cosmetics could eventually extend to dental and medical materials. If this happens, the dental industry may be required to reformulate certain products and adapt to stricter safety regulations.
This controversy highlights the regulatory grey area between cosmetic and medical product oversight, where certain substances prohibited in beauty products may still be permitted in medical applications. Critics argue that allowing such exceptions undermines public trust and creates inconsistency in health protection standards across the European Union.
Original Article:
“Chemical banned in EU nail polishes still used in dental treatments in Portugal, says group.”
Published by OralHealthGroup.com, October 21, 2025.