Question:
Isn't it weird that so-called "Health Freedom Fighters" want you to have
a choice to buy cockamamie health therapies, untested pills and syncrometer
thingybobbers, but when it comes to your teeth they want to restrict you and
your doctor's decision about what material to use?
Here is the status of legislative bills introduced to take away your right
to decide which material to place in your mouth.
None have been passed.
Answer:
Maybe in the 1800's, when mercury amalgam technology was introduced,
ignorance was a valid excuse. Even then many dentists were against it.
How can today's dentists continue in good conscience to expose themselves,
their staff and their patients (including children and pregnant women) to
mercury vapor on a regular basis?
The waste mercury from prepared amalgams represents a toxic environmental
waste that must be disposed of or recycled.
Why is this 100% avoidable use of a toxic hazardous waste material still
legal in this age of environmental enlightenment?
Even if the mercury in the amalgam magically became harmless in the mouth
(which only a child would believe), the waste mercury and mercury fumes from
the amalgam preparation would still be a strong argument against the
continued use of this material for dental fillings.
The writing is on the wall. Mercury amalgam will be outlawed in this country
as it already is in some European countries, such as Sweden. First state by
state, then by Federal law. Might as well get used to it. This one hundred
and fifty year-old technology should be finally laid to rest. The ADA will
be forced to switch to damage-control mode assuming they haven't already.
Must be nice to have all the answers. Meanwhile, I've been seeing
this "amalgam has been outlawed in various European countries" claim
for years. Whenever you check into it, it turns out that either the
claim is a complete lie, or it's a partial lie, e.g. amalgam is not
allowed to be used in fillings for children, but is allowed for
adults.
So what's the latest on amalgam in Europe? (Don't bother answering,
"onward" -- you've already established how accurate YOU are with your
bogus claims about ADA patents.)
If anyone finds a link with that information, I'd like to read it also.
Meanwhile here's a guide to US State by State amalgam legislation:
http://www.agd.org/impact/amalgam/state.html
For example, Rhode Island
Provides that state dental insurance contracts negotiated after January 1,
2003, provide equal coverage for non-mercury fillings at no additional
expense to the state employee.
