FDA Issues Recommendations Regarding Mercury-Containing Dental Amalgam

  • by AGD Staff
  • Oct 19, 2020
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On Sep. 24, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided recommendations about the use of dental amalgam in certain groups of people who may be at greater risk of potential adverse health effects of mercury exposure. The FDA lists these groups as the following: 

  • Pregnant women and their developing fetuses.
  • Women who are planning to become pregnant.
  • Nursing women and their newborns and infants.
  • Children, especially those younger than 6 years of age.
  • People with preexisting neurological disease such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
  • People with impaired kidney function.
  • People with known heightened sensitivity (allergy) to mercury or other components of dental amalgam.

The FDA does not recommend that anyone replace existing amalgam fillings that are in good condition unless it is considered to be medically necessary by a healthcare professional. 

Read more from the FDA.

Don't forget that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires compliance with new regulations on amalgam disposal. AGD has partnered with Dental Recycling North America Inc. (DRNA), whose sole business is amalgam separators and recycling. Under the agreement, AGD members are eligible for an amalgam separator at NO COST with a signed three- to five-year service contract.1 This allows you to become fully compliant without the need to expend valuable cash reserves.

Call today at 800.360.1001, ext. 2, to sign up for your free amalgam separator benefit. Learn more about DRNA.

1. Receive a free unit when you sign a three- or five-year recycling agreement at $500 per year for the BU10 (1–8 chairs) and $750 per year for the BU30 (9–16 chairs).