While the EPA continues to fight a federal court ruling that recognized the neurotoxic risk of fluoridated drinking water, the movement for a healthier kind of dentistry has taken a significant step forward. On August 6, the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology (IAOMT) and Dental Mercury Amalgam Solutions (DAMS) formally petitioned the FDA to ban “silver” mercury amalgam fillings.
Their petition addresses the fact that, despite the well-established knowledge of mercury’s neurotoxic effects, fillings that are made mostly of mercury continue to be placed in patients’ mouths. Such restorations are already banned in many countries around the world, including those of the European Union. The US looks increasingly out of step with global health trends.
While the FDA at least cautions against amalgam use in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under six, and people with certain health problems, this warning still leaves plenty of Americans as candidates for mercury fillings. A good many of those are people whose dental care is funded by the government, including veterans through the VA system, military personnel, Medicaid recipients, Native Americans served by the Indian Health Service, and children in public health programs.
All are routinely given mercury fillings as the default option.
The US has already taken steps to eliminate mercury from other consumer products. For decades, its use has been phased out of products such as paint, antiseptics, nasal sprays, ear drops, medications, and most recently vaccines.
Why should it still be allowed in dental care?
“It is time to complete the process and ban mercury fillings outright,” IAOMT executive chair Dr. Jack Kall said in a news release,
aligning with global standards set by the European Union and numerous other countries who have already banned amalgam fillings. The health risks associated with mercury fillings have prompted a global shift toward safer alternatives, and the United States should follow suit to protect public health.
For those who have mercury fillings and choose to have them removed – whether for health reasons or personal preference – the facts laid out in the petition underscore the importance of proper removal techniques. Those facts are why the IAOMT developed their evidence-based SMART protocol, which minimizes mercury release from amalgam to protect the health of patients, dental workers, and our planet alike.
They’re also why SMART is standard in our own office.
Strengthening the argument against mercury is the existence of safe, effective alternatives. Modern composites, ceramics, and other metal-free options have been successfully used for decades, offering excellent strength, durability, and aesthetics. The days of accepting mercury as a necessary component of dental care are long behind us all.
This joint petition by the IAOMT and DAMS represents hope for a future where all dental practices in this country prioritize both oral and overall health. As the story develops, we’ll continue to keep you informed about further developments in mercury-free, mercury-safe dentistry and what they mean for your health and well-being.
