ADA House votes on amalgam separators, new restoratives brochure
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Posted Oct. 11, 2007 |
By Jennifer Garvin The ADA has updated its Best Management Practices for Amalgam Waste to include amalgam separators as an additional means of capturing waste amalgam for recycling.
The ADA also authorized the Board of Trustees to create a new brochure to help patients understand the materials used to create dental fillings and the advantages and disadvantages of each type of restorative material.
These actions were the result of Resolutions 61H-2007 and 62H-2007, adopted by the ADA House of Delegates in San Francisco earlier this month.
Res. 62H-2007 adds amalgam separators "compliant with ISO 11143" to the list of best management practices. ISO refers to the International Standards Organization, with which the ADA worked to develop 11143. The standard establishes laboratory test methods to measure the capture efficiencies of amalgam separators.
Compliant amalgam separators capture at least 95 percent of amalgam particles. Capture of the waste amalgam reduces the amount of amalgam entering wastewater treatment plants and allows for recycling.
"Dentists across the country have enthusiastically embraced ADA best management practices since we introduced them in 2003, which clearly demonstrates that voluntary programs work," said Dr. Mark J. Feldman, ADA president. "Since then, we have gained a lot of experience with separator technology and even assisted the ISO in developing standards for the devices. We have learned that the systems work well, and we now feel comfortable including them in our best management practice recommendations."
Dental offices using ADA best management practices already capture about 80 percent of waste amalgam. Separators will increase the amount of captured amalgam that otherwise would be captured downstream by municipal wastewater treatment plants.
"Like most people, dentists are committed to protecting the environment," said ADA Executive Director James B. Bramson. "By adding separators to their best management practices, dentists have much greater control in their efforts to ensure a healthier environment for everyone."
The fall issue of the ADA Professional Product Review evaluates the different types of amalgam separators available and is enclosed with the October issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association.
Resolution 61H-2007 ensures that everyone—not just patients who visit ADA.org—has access to accurate information about dental amalgam.
Despite a wealth of scientific evidence supporting the continued use of amalgam as a safe and effective treatment option, both the mainstream media and Internet frequently carry what the Association sees as confusing and incorrect information about amalgam.
By creating a brochure, the ADA hopes to provide all dentists and their patients with scientifically accurate information about dental materials to help them make informed treatment choices.
For more information, visit www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/amalgam_bmp.asp or call the ADA toll-free number, Ext. 2878.
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