Rep. Diane Watson's attempt to ban dental amalgam would effectively deprive patients of an essential treatment that is clinically and scientifically substantiated to be safe and effective. Her unfortunate action contradicts the accepted scientific information about dental amalgam.

"Dentistry has for years worked to counter assertions about dental amalgam that are riddled with half-truths, outright inaccuracies and junk science, and we will continue to do so vigorously.

Concern about amalgam-because of its mercury content-is intuitive but unfounded. Although mercury in some forms is a known toxin, the process by which amalgam is made renders the bound mercury component stable and therefore safe for use in accepted dental applications.

Dental amalgam is the most thoroughly researched and tested restorative material among all those in use. It is inexpensive, easy to use and durable relative to other materials and remains a valued option for dentists and their patients. As questions have arisen about its safety because of its mercury content, they have been answered to the satisfaction of the major U.S. and international scientific and health bodies, including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, among others.

The ADA and its members are committed to placing patients' health first and to following the guidance of sound science in preventing and treating disease. We also are committed to providing patients with scientifically accurate information and fostering open communication between patients and their dentists about all appropriate treatment options.

Ms. Watson's proposal will not achieve its intended goal of enhancing patient safety. Rather, it will limit the choices of American dentists and patients and, in the process, unnecessarily increase the cost of dental care.

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Document Posted: April 12, 2002