Keith Westphal and Joyce Osborn Wilson v. J. David Northcutt Iii, Dmd Bobby R. Wells, Dmd Stephen R. Stricklin, Dmd…

Summary

The Alabama Supreme Court affirmed summary judgment for the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners, holding that limiting teeth-whitening services to licensed dentists does not violate the due-process protections of the Alabama Constitution. The court concluded that teeth whitening is dental treatment involving potential health, diagnostic, sanitation, and infection risks, and that requiring professional dental oversight is reasonably related to public health and welfare. The court declined to address the plaintiffs' equal-protection argument because it was inadequately developed.