IAOMT Launches New Website for Safe Removal of Mercury Fillings

"All silver-colored amalgam fillings contain approximately 50% mercury, a neurotoxin that has been linked to serious environmental damage and an increased risk of harm to humans," said Kall.  "Most patients are not aware that mercury is continually released from their amalgam fillings and that these mercury releases are intensified during the unsafe removal of amalgam fillings."

Recognizing that millions of silver/amalgam fillings are removed each year due to device failure, consumer preference, and other reasons, the IAOMT recently released its updated recommendations known as the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART).  SMART was specifically developed to assist in mitigating the potential negative outcomes of mercury exposure to dental patients, dentists, dental professionals, dental students, dental staff members, and the environment.  The innovative SMART recommendations build upon traditional amalgam removal techniques such as the use of masks, water irrigation, and high volume suction by supplementing these strategies with a number of additional protective measures, the need for which have been identified in scientific research and are required to meet occupational safety requirements.

To assist dentists in learning about these new measures and how to apply them in their daily practices, the IAOMT designed an educational course for dentists.  "SMART Certification" from IAOMT signifies to patients, professionals, and the community that a dentist has received educational training in the IAOMT's Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART). 

Consumer demand for dentists who apply the most updated safety measures was a major catalyst for the development of the SMART program.  So, the IAOMT also created a campaign called "The SMART Choice" that explains what the SMART protocol is, why it's important, and how patients can find dentists who have completed training in SMART.  The grassroots campaign encourages open communication between patients and dentists about the procedure for safe mercury amalgam filling removal. 

Dr. Tammy DeGregorio, President of the IAOMT, explained of SMART: "Although the use of toxic mercury in dentistry should have ended years ago, it is still being used in the USA and a number of other countries.  This means that millions of amalgam fillings will need to be removed for years to come.  The IAOMT is offering the dentists of the world the opportunity to learn our SMART recommendations because all people of the world deserve to have their dental mercury fillings removed with the most up-to-date and scientifically-supported safety measures."

For more information, visit www.iaomt.org and www.theSMARTchoice.com.

Contact: Michael Russell, Michael Russell Group (on behalf of the IAOMT)
Phone: (310) 939-9024

Video - https://youtu.be/1bkt9UPU7Ow

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407991 

SOURCE International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology

Related Links

http://www.theSMARTchoice.com