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Mercury in Dental Amalgam‐a Public Health Concern?
Author(s) -
Flanders Raymond A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of public health dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1752-7325
pISSN - 0022-4006
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-7325.1992.tb02293.x
Subject(s) - mercury (programming language) , amalgam (chemistry) , mercury exposure , dentistry , health hazard , medicine , public health , dental health , dental public health , environmental health , oral health , nursing , computer science , chemistry , electrode , gold mining , programming language
Dental amalgam has been the subject of intermittent controversy since it was introduced into dental practice approximately 150 years ago. The controversy has centered on the use of mercury in dental amalgam and the potential health implications to dental patients and dental health professionals from mercury exposure. In recent years the debate over the use of dental amalgam has intensified due to several articles in professional journals and media coverage by television and the press. This paper reviews the recent literature regarding dental amalgam, describes the activities of the antiamalgamists, examines the alternatives to dental amalgam, and reviews the recommendations for additional research. The existing scientific evidence does not demonstrate that mercury in dental amalgam poses a public health hazard. However, researchers on both sides of the controversy agree that much remains to be examined about the health implications of dental amalgam and that the subject merits continued research.