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Health See other Health Articles Title: Dental amalgams Story at-a-glance The U.S. FDA has long been the world's number one protector of mercury fillings (amalgams), despite the evidence showing the health hazards of mercury Prompted by enormous public pressure and the World Health Organization calling for the phasing-out of amalgam in a new mercury report, the FDA promised to make an announcement about the safety of dental amalgam before the end of 2011. However, six minutes before the end of the last work day of 2011, an FDA spokesperson said that no announcement would be made, and a designated press person stated that no target deadline for such an announcement exists The agency also failed to act after an FDA panel of experts issued the recommendation, in December 2010, that the FDA promptly make sure all consumers know amalgam is mainly mercury, and to stop using amalgam in children and pregnant women Dental amalgam is far from an essential dental product; it’s interchangeable with many other filling materials that do not have the toxic profile amalgam has. Modern materials like resin composites and glass ionomers have rendered amalgam completely unnecessary for any clinical situation, and entire nations have already stopped using amalgam altogether Poster Comment: How You Can Help Protect Children Everywhere It's high time for the FDA start acting on the science and get on the bandwagon to protect the health of children and pregnant women across the U.S. Your voice is needed in order to bring about permanent change in the fight for mercury-free dentistry. The FDA reneged on their stated intent to address dental amalgam by the end of 2011. We now need you to urge the FDA to heed the advice of its own scientists convened in December 2010 and the World Health Organization. To voice your opinion, please contact Dr. Shuren. This time, we think it best if you telephone or fax, and make your message more direct, rather than emailing Dr. Shuren: Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, Director Center for Devices, U.S. Food & Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Ave. WO66-5431, Room 5442 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002 Phone: 301-796-5900 or 301.796-5000 Fax: 301-847-8149 or 301-847-8109 If you can't get through to Dr. Shuren via phone or fax, please write Anthony Watson, Director of the Division on Devices, anthony.watson@fda.hhs.gov. Phone calls and faxes are especially important because Dr. Shuren cannot ignore them – keep calling and leaving messages until you get answers! Here are some recommended talking points when you call or write: Why is the FDA ignoring its own scientific advisory panel that told the FDA to stop the use of amalgam immediately for children, pregnant women, and hypersensitive adults (as a minimum) over a year ago? There is no excuse for endangering our children with dental mercury. Why is the FDA failing to warn every parent that amalgam is mercury, not silver? Every consumer should be told the truth about what's going into their mouths and their children's mouths. Why is the FDA so out-of-step with the World Health Organization? In its 2011 report, the World Health Organization calls on health authorities like FDA to take action against amalgam now: "Health authorities can play an active role in advocacy for use of dental materials alternative to amalgam." It is time for the FDA to act now. An announcement that the FDA's decision will be indefinitely postponed is unacceptable! We have irrefutable scientific evidence about the dangers of mercury amalgams. Your children are being subjected to harm now—they can't wait another year. It is time for the FDA to get out of the way of progress. Please join Charlie and me in keeping the pressure on them — let's not allow them to manipulate their way into placing dental industry profiteering before of your children's health. I also urge you to tell your family, friends, and neighbors the truth about dental amalgams, and don't let your dentist talk you into one for yourself or for your child. It's not your dentist's mouth—it's YOUR mouth. And YOUR pocket book—which holds a great deal of buying power. If your dentist insists mercury is safe, you may want to seek a mercury-free dentist. Last but not least, please consider making a contribution to Consumers for Dental Choice. I strongly believe in their mission and their commitment to the Campaign for Mercury-Free Dentistry. They rely on public donations to complete this important mission. (Consumers for Dental Choice is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advocating mercury-free dentistry. Contributions are tax-deductible in the U.S.) Donations can be made online or through the mail: Online donations here Checks can be mailed to: Consumers for Dental Choice 316 F St., N.E., Suite 210 Washington DC 20002 Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
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