Dental Patients Not At Risk From Amalgam Fillings

Mon, 04 Feb 2008

Amalgam fillings containing mercury pose no health risk to patient, a new report has claimed.

The report, prepared by the European Union Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR), claims that the material poses no health risk to the human nervous system, reflecting the opinions of some dentists and governments who state the material is safer and more durable than alternatives.

The EU committee said it investigated claims of a link between amalgams and a variety of systemic conditions, particularly neurological and psychological or psychiatric effects.

"It is concluded however, that no risks of adverse systemic effects exist and the current use of dental amalgam does not pose a risk of systemic disease," the committee said.

However, patients' organisations have disputed the results, claiming amalgam is dangerous.

"The facts do not add up. Mercury is the third most toxic poison in the world and we are still putting it in people's mouths," commented Becky Dutton, of patient organisation Mercury Madness.

Many European countries advise against use of amalgam for children and pregnant women due to its impact on brain development, but patient organisations believe that anyone carrying an average of 2.5 grams in their mouths is also at risk.

Another patient organisation in Spain said it rejected the provisional report because it was partial and ignored recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other scientists.
add to favouritesnewsletterlink to this pagesend to friendpost comments

Link to this page

Copy and Paste the following HTML into your page.

Health cover, life insurance and PMIProtect Your Health

Find Critical illness, Life and Private Medical Insurance PMI policies.

Save money on your mortgageSave on Your Mortgage

Would you like to save money on your mortgage? Fill out our quick mortgage enquiry form