The dental amalgam controversy: an enquiry into a mercurial topic

Abstract: This article comprehensively reviews the vigorous debate taking place in many countries, which has grown up around the use of dental amalgam. The paper also takes a brief look at a large number of the more important published investigations pertinent to the issue. Furthermore, it reports on, and draws inferences concerning, the astonishing court action that has recently been taken against the American Dental Association by some of its members as a direct Test of this issue. Amongst several other things, it emerges that the various medical disciplines that are traditionally looked to concerning iatrogenic risks in orthodox practices may have neg lected to re-assess fully the profound implications of this controversial issue. It is presented as conceivable that, by not at present establishing appropriate guidelines for their registered members practices, the various governing bodies may, for the future, be leaving themselves open to an actionable charge of 'dereliction of vicarious responsibility' . The paper mentions a test to establish heavy metal leakage from any patient's amalgam fillings, and offers suggestions for an effective non-invasive treatment when amalgam fillings would not be replaced for any reason.

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