R e p l y

Jan who?

George Wrote:

--
Joel34

You mean like when I PROVED YOU  to be a LIAR....

http://groups.google.com/group/sci.med.dentistry/msg/12b9cdace440a488?hl=en&

Tony,

Some of them were my best guess (hyper, absent minded, unsteady hands,
etc.) but one quite candidly admitted that he had mercury poisoning, and
he was younger and had less symptoms than the others.

I suspect that in a way you are right in that some of them probably
refused to admit even to themselves that their occupation was destroying
their brains, and so quit or sold their practices on account of "poor
health" of unknown (to them) origin.

Another factor may be our respective (former) choices of dentists. I had
preferred older experienced guys who could save a tooth where others
might fail, and of course these guys tended to be "amalgam cowboys" who
could/would even construct crowns from the stuff. On the other hand, I
suspect that your friends are younger and smarter guys who are smart
enough to avoid amalgam as though it were a deadly poison. I have also
changed my choices in dentists.

Regarding my recent posting on amalgam and cracked teeth, I haven't gone
so far as to put new amalgam in, but I have been leaving old amalgam
undisturbed in my cracked teeth whenever possible. I am about to have a
tooth pulled that was cleaned out, root canaled, and crowned, only to
then abscess in the usual way that cracked teeth typically do without
amalgam - an expensive lesson. The problem with getting a dental
education is that I get it one tooth at a time. By the time I am
toothless, I will be a genuine expert!

Do you have any thoughts regarding repairing cracked teeth without
amalgam while keeping the crack and things adjacent to it from becoming
decayed?

Steve Richfie1d

    The only dentists I know of who have left their practices due to
occupational disease have left due to rsi and esp. wrist degeneration.
    My daughter turns 10 next week; if I can still stand, I'll probably
still be at the chair when I'm 80.  I should be a good test case.

Steve

www.zipworld.com.au/~rgammal/Are_Dentist_Really_Healthy.html

Are Dentist Really Healthy ?

Dentists have;

Twice the rate of Glioblastoma than the rest of the population
Twice the suicide and divorce rate.
IQ., Psychomotor, Psycho-emotional tests less than average compared to
the rest of the population
Impaired Fine Motor Skills
Of all dentists who currently have a long-term disability, 20% are away
from their practice because of a mental or nervous problem. (J Can Dent
May 1994; Vol.60, No.5 )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Guide to Safer Dentistry

Written by Robert Gammal Oct 1999

Knowledge about the danger of mercury is growing rapidly. If you have
ideas about how to further aid the health of the dental profession
please let me know and I will be happy to include your suggestions.
E-mail to rgammal@bcd.com.au

One of the most widely acknowledged and saddest facts that we are all
taught is that dentists have one of the highest suicide rates of all
professions. We are taught that this is because we work in a high
stress profession and that the patients are the main cause of that
stress. I believed this myth for many years without realizing what the
true stressor in dentistry is. It is horrific that this myth is
perpetuated to this day. I do not believe that dentistry is a higher
stress profession than that of fire fighting, ambulance or police. I
think that doctors working in casualty wards are under far greater
stress. All we have to do is look after teeth. Unfortunately all that
we are taught to do is be molar mechanics. Although we sometimes have
patients who are difficult to deal with, we often forget that sometimes
we also are difficult to deal with.

Dental amalgam with its constant release of mercury represents the
greatest health risk to all dental personnel of all of the range of
materials and practices in dentistry. Many of us have been brainwashed
into believing that dental amalgam is safe for the patient and that a
few precautionary measures are enough to safe guard the dentist.
Although the Australian Dental Association would like us to believe
that this is scientific I believe that their statements about amalgam
safety are insufficient and inaccurate. When I started to read the
scientific literature I would ask, how is it that the universities are
still teaching us to use this material and not warn us about the
dangers? Surely they would not try to intentionally mislead us!!! It is
inconceivable that this may be possible after all we have put great
faith in our professors and deans who surely should know the difference
between safety and danger and moral obligation to tell the truth. Sorry
folks but it is time to change the paradigm and realize that all
research and tenured university positions must be paid for. It is time
to realize that even the professors have things to lose by not towing
the official party doctrine.

For many years I have talked about the dangers of amalgam to patients.
I have been instrumental in forming the Australian Society of Oral
Medicine and Toxicology and running conferences with internationally
renowned speakers to try and educate the dental and other professions
about the dangers of different aspects of dentistry. I do not believe
that there has yet been any teaching about how to keep the dentists
healthy.

Each one of us has a choice to make about allowing the myth to be
perpetuated. If dentistry is really so stressful than why are solutions
not being sought. Valium and Seropax do not save lives - neither do
Prozac or Viagra. The greatest stressor in dentistry is not money,
angry patients, difficult nurses or a lousy matrix band. The greatest
stressor in dentistry is mercury! I find it quite amazing that as a
group of people who are dedicated to helping others we are not taught
how to look after our own health. We are not even given the slightest
hint that our own health may be adversely affected by the very
materials we use on our patients.

Amalgam

I have no intention in this paper to discuss all of the dangers of this
material as this is well documented in many other places. Two sites to
check for this material with many links are www.bcd.com.au and
www.asomat.com.

This paper is about how amalgam effects dental personnel.

Mercury is the third most toxic substance known to mankind after lead
and arsenic. It is odorless, tasteless and in vapor form is also
invisible. It will effect every function of the human body in
particular the nervous system. It will have a devastating effect on the
immune system. It can have severe and adverse effects on the
reproductive system and endocrine system. It can devastate heart muscle
where it is stored in horrifyingly high levels and is associated with
idiopathic heart disease. Mercury will effect vision.

The type of poisoning, which occurs in dentistry, is not usually large
acute exposures. It is long term low-level, cumulative exposure known
as micromercurialism, whose earliest symptoms are subclinical
neurological and as such frequently misdiagnosed in both the dental and
medical professions. It causes a type of madness that emerges in simple
ways such as throwing an impression across the surgery when it does not
work or believing that the nurse is constantly ripping you off. Please
do not think that I advocate the notion that mercury is the cause of
all disease and psychological and emotional difficulty. It is merely
one of the most overlooked of causes. Amalgam and mercury hygiene
should go far beyond not handling the material with your hands and
having good ventilation. Why is it, do you think, that we are not
allowed to dispose of waste amalgam in the sewerage, drain water or
garbage cans? Why is it that we must store amalgam under photographic
fixer in a sealed glass jar? Why is it that we must dispose of this
material as toxic waste? Why is it that the only place that we can
store this material LEGALLY is in somebody's mouth? And yet our great
professors tell us that it is safe. Our dental associations advocate
the safety of amalgam. The really insane part of this whole debacle is
that it is not only the patients who suffer but the very members of the
profession and dental association who really should be protected by
these organizations. Is the Australian Dental Association advocating
the destruction of its own membership?

As in any case of poisoning it is important to first remove the patient
from the source of the poisoning and then detoxify the body from that
poison. Next we must repair the damage done by that toxin if we are to
regain full healing.

Remove Yourself From the Toxin.

Immediately stop using amalgam as a filling material

Every time an amalgam is triturated a vast cloud of mercury vapour is
formed. Even if the capsules are perfectly sealed, they must still be
opened to remove the contents. Usually this is done by the dental nurse
and it is she who is most exposed to the vapour at this time, but
really everyone in the room is also exposed. Packing the amalgam
filling, even with high volume suction running in the mouth will also
create high levels of mercury vapor. You are sitting in the center of
this cloud. Using automatic amalgam pluggers is particularly dangerous.
The simple rule to start looking after yours and your staff's health is
simply to never place another amalgam filling.

After you have made this commitment it is essential to clean your
workplace. If you have ever had in the past a mercury spill you must
get hold of a mercury vapour meter and check the vapour levels. You may
find that you need to replace the floor coverings and some equipment.
You may find that the levels of mercury vapour are so high that the
building itself will be shut down - this is not a joke (see the OSHA
and ATSDR and USEPA standards to see how little is needed to close down
a factory). Even the Australian Dental Association have advocated that
mercury levels in surgeries should be checked yet ironically after
several calls to their offices over the years they have not been able
to tell me how to go about doing this.

I am not joking about this - it is essential to clean your environment
of all traces of mercury.

Dispose of all hand instruments that were used to pack amalgam and
possibly some that were used to carve it.

Ensure that your autoclave is free of mercury. Never allow any
instruments that have been used to pack amalgam anywhere near an
autoclave as the vapour levels created are astronomical and the whole
of your premises will be polluted.

Dispose of all waste amalgam containers. If you have been storing it in
a draw (Don't laugh - even one of our hospitals has been doing this)
you should consider disposing of your cabinetry and getting new draws.
Never keep any such containers even if they did belong to the last ten
dentists. The vibe of sentimentality may carry the dangers of mercury
poisoning

Dispose of all instruments that have been used to handle amalgam. This
includes machinery that is used to triturate the material. It cannot be
cleaned and will remain a long-term source of mercury vapour. Dispose
of all amalgam carriers and other such devices. Dispose of them as
toxic waste and if you cannot do this send them by courier to your
local university or dental association. I am all for giving the problem
back to its creator.

Amalgam Removal

Firstly learn the correct protocols for both your patients and your own
wellbeing. When removing amalgam with a high-speed bur you will create
a huge cloud of mercury vapour. You will also create a huge cloud of
microscopic particles, which are fully respirable.

The safest way of protecting yourself and your staff from this source
of mercury is to minimize exposure and inhalation. If you wear a paper
mask you will prevent some of the inhalation of the larger amalgam
particles. The vapour will pass straight through. The particles of
amalgam will stick to the surface of the mask and the temperature of
your breath will act on these particles very quickly so that within a
half-minute the vapour levels inside the mask may be higher than in the
surrounding room air. If all you have is a paper mask you must ensure
that you dispose of this mask as soon as the last bit of amalgam is
removed. I know of some dentists who wear a mask all day and a few
others who wear the same mask for the week. This is a lethal practice.
Paper masks are not that expensive and if you believe that they are
than pass on the cost to your patients - after all it is your health
that is suffering. Ensure that all dental personnel follow this
practice.

Far better than a paper mask for protection from the mercury vapour are
special masks from 3M, which are designed for this purpose.

The best way to prevent inhalation is to wear a full respiratory mask
that will feed medical gasses (compressed sterile air) over your nose
and mouth with some positive pressure. This will ensure that none can
get into your respiratory passages. In my opinion this is the only way
to go and thankfully it is not terribly expensive to set up a surgery
with this equipment.

Mercury is easily transported through latex and skin. Gloves must be
changed between patients. Wear a disposable hair cap when drilling
amalgam. Wash your hair every day to remove amalgam particles that you
will otherwise take home and will end up on your spouses pillow or
worse.

Do NOT wash your uniforms in the family wash load as you may
contaminate the rest of your family.

Splatter guards that many dentists are in love with are completely
useless to prevent inhalation.

Minimize your production of mercury and microscopic amalgam particles
by following some simple steps;

a. Use cross cut tungsten burs only to cut amalgam. This will cut the
amalgam very quickly and shatter it as well so that large pieces fly
out. Using a diamond bur will extend the cutting time and thus produce
far more vapour. Minimize the amount of grinding that you do.

b. Cut the amalgam into sections rather than grinding your way through
it.

c. Use copious amounts of water on the bur while cutting - Triplex
spray as well as regular water from the drill.

d. Use very strong suction next to the tooth. This can be achieved by
purchasing special suction tips called 'cleanups' which are available
from BioProbe in America. These tips are designed to cover the tooth
and provide drill access at the same time. They work very well.

e. Never polish old amalgams and never use an ultrasonic scaler on
amalgam fillings.

f. Old used burs will not be anywhere near as effective as new ones.

g. Remember that all friction on amalgam will induce the release of
mercury. Placing gold in a mouth with mercury will cause an increase in
electrical currents in all amalgam fillings and thus an increase in the
amount of mercury released from amalgam

Check your Suction.

It is imperative that all dental suction units be vented out of the
building. All air that is sucked out of the patient's mouth has to go
somewhere. It is almost impossible to filter out mercury vapour.
Suction units, which exhaust inside a building, will thoroughly
contaminate the air in the building.

Negative Ion Generators

It is worth also investing in high quality and powerful Negative Ion
Generators - they are very effective in removing mercury vapour and
microparticles from the air. Although expensive they are worth every
cent. It is amazing the difference that these units can make. The
quality of the air is so different when my units are switched on, every
body's mood and awakeness improve within 10 minutes.

Some of these units also come with air filters. The good ones are very
effective. Make sure that the air filters are changes at regular
service intervals.

Vacuum suction over patient.

Units also exist which are like huge vacuum cleaners with a suction
opening that sits over the patient's face. These are reputed to suck
most of the mercury vapour away.

Amalgam and Autoclaves

Never allow any instruments that were used to place amalgam come into
contact with an autoclave. You will create an enormous cloud of mercury
vapour which will pollute your whole office environment and in
particular the will effect the dental assistant who works near the
autoclave.

Remove all amalgam fillings from your own mouth.

There is no doubt that the greatest single source of mercury to the
general population is from their amalgam fillings. This applies to
dentists as well. Not only are you being exposed to work related levels
of mercury but you are also getting it from your own fillings. If you
really wish therefore to be detoxing from mercury you must get it
removed from your own mouth as well. Remember that mercury is a
cumulative poison and the body does not care where the mercury comes
from it will just as happily store it anyway.

Experience the difference and have them removed by a colleague who does
know what they are doing. It is imperative that the correct protocols
be observed. There is no reason why you should be treated differently
to the rest of the world.

Removing the amalgam fillings from your mouth is only the first step in
cleaning up your body. All that it does is eliminate one of the
greatest sources of mercury to your body. It is like turning of the
taps but now you also have to remove it from your body - ie empty the
bathtub after you have turned the taps off

Detox Procedures

If you read through the amalgam removal protocols you will see that we
recommend to all of our patients that they use dietary supplements of
certain vitamins, antioxidants and mercury scavengers to help remove
mercury and other heavy metals from their bodies. This is usually
recommended for a couple of weeks before amalgam removal and at least 6
to 8 months after the amalgam is removed. The assumption is that for
most of our patients the exposure to mercury will cease once the
amalgam is removed. NOT so for dentists.

Any dentist who is exposed to any form of mercury - even if it is to
drill out the odd amalgam - should remain on these sorts of supplements
ALL OF THE TIME.

It may also be worth considering a speedier way of removing mercury
from your body. This involves the use of DMPS and DMSA as chelating
agents, which will assist the process. In Australia this must be done
under medical supervision. The most common ways of detoxing is these
above two techniques. There are many other techniques which are used by
different people, and have all shown beneficial results they include
cholonic irrigation, lymphatic drainage massage, herbs both western and
Chinese, gentle exercise, fresh coriander, fasting, Vibrational
medicine.

Chelation

The use of chelation for the removal of heavy metals is an old
technique. Although there is debate in the medical world about its
effectiveness there is no doubt in the minds of the practitioners using
it or the patients who undergo this treatment. There is almost always a
marked improvement in health.

For many years the only chelating agents that were allowed in Australia
by the TGA were Vitamin C (although not a true chelator) and EDTA.
Although EDTA will remove some amalgam, a number of studies have shown
that EDTA/Mercury combination may be more neurotoxic than mercury
alone.

More recently the medical profession have been given permission to use
DMPS and DMSA which have been used in the eastern block countries for
50 years with great success.

For information in Australia about how to find a doctor in your area
who may be experienced in chelation treatment you can contact the
Australian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine
(http://www.acnem.org/ 13 Hilton Street, Beaumaris, Victoria 3193,
Australia Phone: +613 9589 6088 Fax: +613 9589 5158, E-mail:
acnem@mail.austasia.net)

Supplementation

The field of dietary supplementation is I believe still in its infancy
and as we learn more we are finding an increasing number of substances
which assist in this process. The ability to chose which is best for
you may be in part a matter of trial and error (although if there is an
error it is usually of minimal consequence and certainly not of the
order of serious side effects as from prescription medications). It is
essential that the supplements be continued indefinitely if you are
constantly exposed to mercury.

Some of the basic supplements you should consider adding to your daily
routine are;

Vitamin C 1.5g/day

Multivitamin B complex

Selenium 200-400mcg/day

Chlorella tablets or pills

LM1 or Toxicol tablets

Homeopathic Amalgam and Mercury - Warning

Many dentists and doctors have used homeopathic to treat their
patients. Unless you know a really first rate homeopath I would
recommend strongly that you avoid using homeopathic mercury or
homeopathic amalgam. The problem is not that they don't work but rather
that they may work too well. Many of us have seen the people who have
done well but also those that have crashed severely using these
preparations. It appears that too much mercury may be mobilized at a
time when the body is not able to excrete it fast enough.

Disposal of Amalgam

There are a number of simple steps;

Ensure that no amalgam is stored anywhere but in a sealed glass jar
under photographic fixer. NEVER store it anywhere else. The nurse who
does this job must be educated to understand the full significance of
this.

It is illegal to place it into the sewerage, drain water or garbage.

Never place any instrument with amalgam on it in any increased
temperature situation.

Due to its mercury content it is wise to treat amalgam as the third
most toxic substance known to mankind.

Never keep it in your premises.

An alternate, though not so nice an option, is to send your waste
amalgam to the dental associations and universities who continue to
promote its safety!

Recognizing the Symptoms you thought had other causes

It is easy to take a headache pill and get stronger eyeglasses. It is
easy to see a psychiatrist to treat your growing depression. It is easy
to blame every other car driver for being an idiot. It is easy to seek
medical advice about those palpitations and nightmares. It is a quantum
leap in thinking to realize that part of these symptoms may be caused
by the mercury coming from your own fillings and the environment you
have been working in all of your career life.

The earliest symptoms of low level, long term mercury poisoning,
(micromercurialism) have long been known to be subclinical neurological
in nature. Even the dental associations have known this as evidenced by
the following;

"Mercury Contamination In the Dental Office. A Review. NYS Dental
Journal November 1979 pp 457-458"

The symptoms of mercury poisoning from chronic inhalation develop
gradually and thus, may be difficult to notice. With the exception of
tremor, the symptoms may be ignored by the victim or attributed to
other causes. This lack of awareness is particularly likely in the case
of erethism, a condition characterized by;

· irritability,

· outbursts of temper,

· excitability,

· shyness,

· resentment of criticism,

· headache,

· fatigue, and

· indecision.

Erethism is the most difficult manifestation of mercury poisoning to
evaluate, especially if tremors are absent, and its symptoms may be
attributed to anxiety or neurasthenia.

Other general symptoms associated with mercury poisoning include

· weakness, unusual fatigue, loss of weight, loss of appetite,
insomnia

and gastrointestinal disturbances.

A condition known as Micromercurialism, is said to account for
psychological changes observed in persons frequently exposed to low
concentrations of mercury in the air, concentrations found in the
majority of dental offices surveyed. The syndrome is characterized by

· decreased productivity, loss of memory, loss of self confidence,
depression, fatigue and irritability .."

The early symptoms are subclinical neurologic and may include;

· Fatigue - physical and mental

· Lack of initiative

· Loss of short term memory

· Lack of concentration

· Poor to no decision making ability

· Irrational obsession, Compulsions

· Timidity and lack of self confidence

· Grave depression

· Rapid mood changes, sudden anger

· Unexplainable fear of death

· Hallucinations

· Shyness and timidity

· Tendency to isolation

· Suicidal feelings

More severe symptoms are related to long term exposure and may involve
many other areas of the body including immune dysfunction, infertility,
and heart disease.

Caulk Co., one of the largest manufacturers of dental amalgam include a
large array of symptoms caused by mercury poisoning on their Material
Safety Data Sheet for Dispersalloy. It is incredible that the
manufacturer acknowledges dangers that both the universities and the
Australian Dental Association ignore. The following is from the MSDS;

"Inhalation: Acute: Inhalation of a high concentration of mercury vapor
can cause almost immediate dyspnea, cough, fever, nausea and vomiting,
diarrhea, stomatitis, salivation, metallic taste, gingivitis, and
cardiac abnormalities. Respiratory irritation may occur with chest pain
and tightness. Symptoms may re solve or may progress to necrotizing
bronchiolitis, pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, interstitial
fibrosis, and death. Acidosis and renal damage may also occur. Allergic
reactions that may occur in previously exposed persons include
dermatitis, encephalitis, and death. Metal fume fever, an
influenza-like illness, may occur due to the inhalation of freshly
formed metal oxide particles sized below 1.5 microns and usually
between 0.02-0.05 microns. Symptoms may be delayed 4-12 hours and begin
with a sudden onset of thirst, and a sweet, metallic or foul taste in
the mouth. Other symptoms may include upper respiratory tract
irritation accompanied by coughing and a dryness of the mucous
membranes, lassitude and a generalized feeling of malaise. Fever,
chills, muscular pain, mild to severe headache, nausea, occasional
vomiting, exaggerated mental activity, profuse sweating, excessive
urination, diarrhea and prostration may also occur. Tolerance to fumes
develops rapidly, but is quickly lost. All symptoms usually subside
within 24-36 hours.

Inhalation: Chronic: Inhalation of mercury vapor over a long period may
cause mercurialism which is characterized by fine tremors and erethism.
Tremors may affect the hands first, but may also become evident in the
face, arms, and legs. Erethism may be manifested by abnormal shyness,
blushing, self-consciousness, depression or despondency resentment of
criticism, irritability or excitability, headache, fatigue, and
insomnia. In severe cases, hallucinations, loss of memory, and mental
deterioration may occur. Concentrations as low and 0.03 mg/m3 have
induced psychiatric symptoms in humans. Renal involvement may be
indicated by proteinuria, albuminuria, enzymuria, and anuria. Other
effects may include salivation, gingivitis, stomatitis, loosening of
the teeth, blue lines on the gums, diarrhea, chronic pneumonitis and
mild anemia. Repeated exposure to mercury and its compounds may result
in sensitization. Intrauterine exposure may result in tremors and
involuntary movements in the infants. Mercury is excreted in breast
milk. Paternal reproductive effects and effects on fertility have been
reported in male rats following repeated inhalation exposures.

Skin contact: Acute : Direct contact with liquid may cause irritation
and redness. Small amounts of mercury may be absorbed through intact
skin. Allergic reactions that may occur in previously exposed persons
include dermatitis, encephalitis, and death. Subcutaneous introduction,
from handling broken thermometers, may result in local inflammation,
granulomatous skin reactions, and slight signs of mercury poisoning
including digestive disorders, metallic taste in the mouth, and
neuropsychic disorders.

Skin contact: Chronic: prolonged or repeated exposure may result in
dermal sensitization and systemic effects as detailed in chronic
inhalation exposure. Skin contact: First aid: Remove contaminated
clothing and shoes immediately. Wash affected area with soap or mild
detergent and large amounts of water until no evidence of chemical
remains (approximately 15-20 minutes). Get medical attention
immediately. "

Staff Relationships

It is easy for dentists to get caught up in treating the patient and
expecting life to be difficult. As dentists we rely heavily on the
assistance and support of our staff. It is therefore illogical to think
that we may be effected by mercury and our staff not. In fact it is
usually the dental nurse who has a far greater exposure to mercury than
the dentist. It is only a matter of time before there is a legal
situation whereby workers compensation is a serious issue. Female
dental personnel will have the same neurologic symptoms as the dentist.
There is also a far greater incidence of infertility, miscarriage and
menstrual problems in female dental personnel compared to the rest of
the female population. It is imperative that the dental personnel are
offered the same level of protection as the dentist.

You may find that you not only have a happier work place but also that
you will have a staff who love you for taking care of their health.

Support of political changes

As dentists we are taught that we have a responsibility to keep abreast
of clinical and research developments and to share information with our
colleagues. It is also I believe our responsibility to keep our
profession honest. Not only should each one of use read the literature
but we should take an active role to educate our colleagues and point
out inconsistencies between the literature and the often different
official position. How can people who belittle the scientific research
also be our represented spokespeople. The two are not compatible. Make
your voice heard - take a stand. Support an Organization who is trying
to look after your wellbeing.

Some abstracted references

1) Rowland AS et al The effect of occupational exposure to mercury
vapour on the fertility of female dental assistants Occup Environ Med
(1994 Jan) 51(1):28-34

Sample of 418 women. ental assistants not working with amalgam -
unexposed controls.

The fecundability (probability of conception each menstrual cycle) of
women who prepared 30 or more amalgams per week was only 63% of that
for unexposed women.

2) Sikorski R et al .Women in dental surgeries: reproductive hazards in
occupational exposure to metallic mercury. Int Arch Occup Environ
Health (1987) 59(6):551-7

3) JADA Vol. 122 August 1991 By Irwin Mandel DDS Assoc. Dean for
Research School of Dental and Oral Surgery Colombia University New York

"rates of spontaneous abortion or non-congenital abnormalities in
children during this period, were higher in respondents exposed to high
levels of mercury in the dental environment than those exposed to low
levels."

4) Gordon HP, Cordon LD: reduction in mercury vapour levels in Seattle
dental offices. J Dent Res Abstract 1092 57A:347, 1981.

Female dentists had a higher rate of spontaneous abortions then a
control of female medical personnel or the rest of the population. The
Peri-Natal Mortality Rate for the female dentists was significantly
higher than for the rest of the population -19.5 / 1000 as compared to
7.5 / 1000.

5) Glioblastomas

In a study of 9,241 people 3454 were male dentists 1125 female
dentists, 4662 female dental nurses;

A TWO fold increased risk of Glioblastomas for the dental personnel
compared to the rest of the population.

6) Nylander et al.Fourth international symposium Epidemiology in
Occupational Health.,Como Italy Sept 1985

Urinary mercury levels for 4,272 U.S. dentists who participated in the
Health Assessment Programs held at the ADA annual sessions (1975-1983)
had a mean level of 14.2 ug/L with a range of 0 to 556 ug/L.

19.1% are over the maximum normal measurement of 20 ugHg/L

10.9% are over the C.D.C. maximum acceptable level of 30 ugHg/L

4.9% are over 50 ugHg/L, the level found to cause induced tremors

1.3% are over 100 ugHg/L, the level found to cause tremors

7) Akesson, et al Archives of Environmental Health, March-April 1991
v46 n2 p102(8)

Status of mercury and selenium in dental personnel: Impact of amalgam
work and own fillings.

"In the group of dental personnel, the effect of their own amalgam
fillings on Hg concentrations....was as important as their occupational
exposure to Hg."

Higher U-Hg levels were found in nurses than in dentists

U-Hg - significantly associated with duration of employment

An increase in age was accompanied by a concomitant increase in B-Hg

Total Amalgam Surface Area and U-Hg had the highest correlation

8) Joel Butler Professor of Psychology at the University of North Texas
1

Fifty one dentists and dental personnel were studied on standardized
tests which revealed there were a significant number who measured in
the abnormal range;

41.7% Some Psychomotor Dysfunction

16.7% Severe Psychomotor Dysfunction

57.9% Impaired Immediate recall

52.6% Visual Memory & Visual Motor reduced

52% Vigilance, Attention, Concentration and Cognitive Comprehension
impaired

36.4% Work and lives felt rather pointless

52.6% tactile Sensory Dysfunction / inability to locate finger position

78.9% Logical Thinking and story recall impaired

68.4% Spatial and visual memory impaired

27.3% History of unsatisfying interpersonal relationships

72% Out of Norm on the Emotional Stability Scale

27.3% Suicidal Depression, Disgust with life, Despondency and despair

30% Increased states of Agitation

42.4% Increased scores on the Psychopathic Scale

This study concludes that as a group, dentists are, after a number of
years, at least one standard deviation below the rest of the
population. This is an enormous and significant drop!

9) Echeverria, D; et al Behavioral Effects of Low-Level Exposure to
Hg° Among Dentists. Neurotoxicology and Teratology. 17(2):161-168,
1995.

Urine mercury Levels Directly related to;

Reduced Concentration

Emotional instability

Fine Motor Function Seriously effected

Evidence of subtle pre-clinical changes in behavior associated with Hg
exposure

10) Gonzalez-Ramirez, D. Et al. Urinary mercury, porphyrins and
neurobehavioral changes in dental workers in Monterrey, Mexico. J
Pharmacol Exp Therap. 272:264-274,1995

"The mean urinary mercury level after the DMPS challenge was adversely
and statistically associated with functions related to

complex attention,

psychomotor task,

mood and symptoms

in a linear dose-effect manner."

11) Shapiro, et al. and Ship II, et al. reported the relation between
cumulative exposure to mercury and chronic health impairment.

"298 dentists. 30% of the high mercury dentists had polyneuropathies.
No polyneuropathies were detected in the control group. The high
mercury group had mild visuographic dysfunction; they also had more
symptom-distress than did the control group.

These findings suggest that the use of mercury as a restorative
material

is a health risk for dentists."

Some further reading:

Mercury in pituitary glands of dentists Nylander: Lancet (1986 Feb 22)
1(8478):442

Akesson I Lundborg G Horstmann V Skerfving S Neuropathy in female
dental personnel exposed to high frequency vibrations. Occup Environ
Med (1995 Feb) 52(2):116-23

Mercury exposure of different origins among dentists and dental nurses.
Skare: Scand J Work Environ Health (1990 Oct) 16(5):340-7

Neuropsychological Dysfunctioning Associated with the Dental Office
Environment is a study by Joel Butler , Professor of Psychology at the
University of North Texas.

Wood RW, Weiss AB, Weiss B: Hand tremor induced by industrial exposure
to inorganic mercury. Arch Environ Health 26:249-52,1973.

Manlyla DG, Wright OD: Mercury toxicily in the dental of fice: a
neglected problem. JADA 92:1189-94,1976,

Gordon HP, Cordon LD: reduclion in mercury vapour levels in Seattle
dental of fices. J Dent Res Abstract 1092 57A:347, 1981.

Blocll P. Shaplro IM: Summary of the international conference on
mercury hazards in dental practice. JADA 104:489-90, 1982.

Shapiro IM, Sumner AJ, Spilz LK, Cornblath DR, Uzzell B. Ship II, Bloch
P: Neurophysiological and neuropsychological function in
mercury-exposed dentists. Lancet 8282:1147-50,1982.

Ship II, Shapiro IM: Mercury poisoning in dental practice. Compendium
Continuing Educalion 4: 107- 110,1983.

Edilor: How mercury poisoning al'fecled one dentist. Dent Survey 49:64,
1973.

Miller JM, Chaffin DB, Smith RG: Subclinical psychomotor and
neuromuscular changes in workers exposed to inorganic mercury. A Indus
Hyg Assoc J 36:725-33,1975.

Lyer K, Goodgold J. Eberstein A, Berg P: Mercury poisoning in a
dentist. Arch Neurol 33:788-90, 1976.

Merfield DP, Taylor A, Gemmell DM, Parrish JA: Mercury intoxication in
a dental surgery following unreported spillagc. BrilDentJ
141:179-86,1976.

Barber TE: Inorganic mercury inloxication reminiscent of amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis. J Occupat Med 20:667-9,1978.

Smith Jr DL: Mental effects of mercury poisoning. South Med J 71:904-5,
1978.

Langolf GD, Chaffin DB, Henderson R. Whittle HP: Evaluation of workers
exposed to elemental mercury using quantitative lests of tremor and
neuromuscular functions. Am Ind Hyg Assoc 39(12):976-84, 1978.

Zweben LL: Mercury poisoning: A case history. J New Jersey Dent Assoc
10-1, Winter 1978.

Albers JW, Cavender GD, Levine SP, Langolf GD: Asymptomatic
sensorimotor polyneuropathy in workers exposed to elemental mercury.
Neurology 32:1168-74,1982.

Adams CR, Ziegler DK, Lin JT: Mercury intoxication simulating
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Amer Med Assoc 250:642-3,1983.

Cook TA, Yates PO: Fatal mercury intoxication in dental surgery
assistant. Br Dent J 127:553-5,1969.

Ritchie, KA; MacDonald, EB; Hammersly, R; McGowan, DA; Dale, IM;
Wesnes, K. Psychomotor Testing of Dentists with Chronic Low-Level
Mercury Exposure. J Dent Res. 74(S1):420, A-160.

Echeverria, D; Heyer, NJ; Martin, MD; Naleway, CA; Woods, JS; Bittner
AC, Jr. Behavioral Effects of Low-Level Exposure to Hg° Among
Dentists. Neurotoxicology and Teratology. 17(2):161-168, 1995.

D. Gonzalez-Ramirez, et al., 1995

Shapiro, IM; et al. Neurophysiological and neuroDsvchological function
in mercury exposed dentists. Lancet, 1(8282):1147-1150, 1982.

Uzzell, BP; et al. Chronic low-level mercury exposure and
neuropsychological functioning. J Clin Exp Neuropsych. 8(5): 581-593,
1986.

Foo, SC; Ngim, CH; Salleh, I; Jeyaratnam, J; Boey, KW. Neurobehavioral
Effects in Occupational Chemical Exposure. Environ Res. 1993, Feb.
60(2): 267-73.

Ngim CH, Foo SC, Boey KW and Jeyartnam J. Chronic neurobehavioral
effects of elemental mercury in dentists. British Journal of Industrial
Medicine 49:782-790, 1992.

Cross et al., 1978.Blood of Dentists, Lancet, 312, Aug.. 5, 1978

Cutright D.E., Miller R.A. and Battistone G.C.: Systemic Mercury Levels
Caused by Inhaling Mist During High-Speed Amalgam Grinding, J. Oral
Med. 28, 100, 1973

Rubber Dam Must Be Used When Removing Amalgam

Particulate Inhalation during the removal of amalgam restorations. Nimo
A., WerleyMS., Martin JS., Tansy F. J. Pros. Dent. Feb 1990

Particulate Inhalation in Dentists

Dentists were exposed to moderate amounts of fully respirable particles
for all conditions tested.

Particles become lodged in Terminal Bronchi & lower in respiratory
tract

Dentists exposed over a long period of time

Particulate Inhalation during the removal of amalgam restorations. Nimo
A., WerleyMS., Martin JS., Tansy F. J. Pros. Dent. Feb 1990

"Water coolant and suction had little effect on dentists exposure to
respirable particles"

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/15721/story.htm

     LONDON - Dentists are more likely to suffer memory and kidney
problems
which could be due to long-term exposure to mercury in tooth fillings,
doctors said today.

     A study of 180 dentists by researchers at the Glasgow Royal
Infirmary
in Scotland found they had up to four times the normal level of mercury
in
their urine and nails and had more kidney disorders and memory lapses
than
the general public.
     "We found several differences in the health and cognitive
functioning
between our dentists and the control group," Dr Ewan Macdonald said in
a
report in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

     "These differences could not be directly attributed to their
exposure
to mercury, but as mercury exposure at higher levels is known to cause
similar health effects an association cannot be ruled out," he added.

     Mercury has been used in dentistry for about 150 years but some
dentists and researchers believe the fillings can give off harmful
vapours
that can be dangerous for dentists and patients.

     Critics of the fillings claim the mercury can poison the body and
lead
to health problems affecting the kidneys and other organs and
neurological
diseases such as Alzheimer's.

     But dental associations say it is safe when mixed with other
metals
and there are no scientific studies to prove a link between the filling
and
health problems.

     The researchers in Glasgow compared mercury levels in urine, hair
and
nail samples and the results of psychomotor skills, response times,
word
recall and health problems of the 180 dentists and an equal number of
volunteers.

     The dentists had higher levels of the metal in their bodies,
reported
more health problems and did worse on the tests than the volunteers.

     "The prevalence of self reported renal disease and memory
disorders
reflects other reports and suggests that these may be occupationally
related," Macdonald added.

http://www.zipworld.com.au/~rgammal/Are_Dentist_Really_Healthy.html

http://tinyurl.com/ccz3

Health and neuropsychological functioning of dentists exposed to
mercury.

Ritchie KA, Gilmour WH, Macdonald EB, Burke FJ, McGowan DA, Dale IM,
Hammersley R, Hamilton RM, Binnie V, Collington D.

Institute of Hearing Research (Scottish Section), Glasgow Royal
Infirmary,
Glasgow, Scotland, UK. k...@ihr.gla.ac.uk

OBJECTIVES: A cross sectional survey of dentists in the west of
Scotland and
unmatched controls was conducted to find the effect of chronic exposure
to
mercury on health and cognitive functioning. METHODS: 180 dentists were

asked to complete a questionnaire that included items on handling of
amalgam, symptoms experienced, possible influences on psychomotor
function,
and the 12 item general health questionnaire. Dentists were asked to
complete a dental chart of their own mouths and to give samples of
urine,
hair, and nails for mercury analysis. Environmental measurements of
mercury
in dentists' surgeries were made and participants undertook a package
of
computerised psychomotor tests. 180 control subjects underwent a
similar
procedure, completing a questionnaire, having their amalgam surfaces
counted, giving urine, hair, and nail samples and undergoing the
psychomotor
test package. RESULTS: Dentists had, on average, urinary mercury
concentrations over four times that of control subjects, but all but
one
dentist had urinary mercury below the Health and Safety Executive
health
guidance value. Dentists were significantly more likely than control
subjects to have had disorders of the kidney and memory disturbance.
These
symptoms were not significantly associated with urinary mercury
concentration. Differences were found between the psychomotor
performance of
dentists and controls after adjusting for age and sex, but there was no

significant association between changes in psychomotor response and
mercury
concentrations in urine, hair, or nails. CONCLUSIONS: Several
differences in
health and cognitive functioning between dentists and controls were
found.
These differences could not be directly attributed to their exposure to

mercury. However, as similar health effects are known to be associated
with
mercury exposure, it would be appropriate to consider a system of
health
surveillance of dental staff with particular emphasis on symptoms
associated
with mercury toxicity where there is evidence of high levels of
exposure to
environmental mercury.

PMID: 11983843 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://tinyurl.com/dbhg9

Neurophysiological and neuropsychological function in mercury-exposed
dentists.

Shapiro IM, Cornblath DR, Sumner AJ, Uzzell B, Spitz LK, Ship II, Bloch
P.

In a study of the relation between cumulative exposure to mercury and
chronic health impairment 298 dentists had their mercury levels
measured by
an X-ray fluorescence technique. Electrodiagnostic and
neuropsychological
findings in the dentists with more than 20 micrograms/g tissue mercury
levels were compared with those of a control group consisting of
dentists
with no detectable mercury levels. 30% of the 23 high mercury dentists
had
polyneuropathies. No polyneuropathies were detected in the control
group.
The high mercury group had mild visuographic dysfunction; they also had
more
symptom-distress than did the control group. These findings suggest
that the
use of mercury as a restorative material is a health risk for dentists.

PMID: 6122938 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://tinyurl.com/msg59

Neuropsychological effects of low mercury exposure in dental staff in
Erzurum, Turkey.

Aydin N, Karaoglanoglu S, Yigit A, Keles MS, Kirpinar I, Seven N.

Ataturk Universitesi, Tip Fakultesi, Psikiyatri Anabilim Dali, 25240
Erzurum, Turkey. nmd...@hotmail.com

OBJECTIVE: To carry out measurements of the Hg levels and personal
exposure
in Turkish dental clinics, and to evaluate possible adverse effects on
the
CNS in dental personnel. SETTING: Five dental clinics (1 private, 4
public)
in Erzurum, Turkey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 43, Hg vapour-exposed dental
staff
were examined and 43 hospital employees with no known exposure to Hg
acted
as the control group. Hg concentrations in plasma and urine were
analysed by
atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Possible effects on the central
nervous
system (CNS) were estimated by neuropsychological tests (Weschler
Memory
Scale-Revised (WMS-R) and Verbal Test of Memory Processes (VTMP)) and
two
self-administered questionnaires (Symptom Checklist-90-Revised
(SCL-90-R)
and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)). RESULTS: The dental staff group
had
higher whole blood (B-Hg) and urine (U-Hg) Hg levels than the control
group.
The mean B-Hg value was 2.18 nmol/l and U-Hg was 1.17 nmol/mmol
creatinine.
U-Hg had an inverse relationship with logical memory (in WMS-R test)
and
total retention score (in VTMP test), and a positive relationship with
increased scores of Anxiety and Psychoticism (in SCL-90-R). CONCLUSION:

These results may represent long-term consequences of low Hg exposure.
In
dentistry, to decrease toxic effects, proper Hg hygiene should be
practiced
by all dental health care workers.

http://tinyurl.com/z6jhk

Behavioral effects of low-level exposure to elemental Hg among
dentists.

Echeverria D, Heyer NJ, Martin MD, Naleway CA, Woods JS, Bittner AC Jr.

Battelle Center for Public Health Research and Evaluation (CPHRE),
Seattle,
WA 98105, USA.

Exposure thresholds for health effects associated with elemental
mercury (Hg
degree) exposure were examined by comparing behavioral test scores of
19
exposed (mean urinary Hg = 36 micrograms/l) with those of 20 unexposed
dentists. Thirty-six micrograms Hg/l is 7 times greater than the 5
micrograms Hg/l mean level measured in a national sample of dentists.
To
improve the distinction between recent and cumulative effects, the
study
also evaluated porphyrin concentrations in urine, which are correlated
with
renal Hg content (a measure of cumulative body burden). Subjects
provided an
on-site spot urine sample, were administered a 1-h assessment
consisting of
a consent form, the Profile of Mood Scales, a symptom and medical
questionnaire, and 6 behavioral tests: digit-span, symbol-digit
substitution, simple reaction time, the ability to switch between
tasks,
vocabulary, and the One Hole Test. Multivariate regression techniques
were
used to evaluate dose-effects controlling for the effects of age, race,

gender and alcohol consumption. A dose-effect was considered
statistically
significant below a p value of 0.05. Significant urinary Hg
dose-effects
were found for poor mental concentration, emotional lability,
somatosensory
irritation, and mood scores. Individual tests evaluating cognitive and
motor
function changed in the expected directions but were not significantly
associated with urinary Hg. However, the pooled sum of rank scores for
combinations of tests within domains were significantly associated with

urinary Hg, providing evidence of subtle preclinical changes in
behavior
associated with Hg exposure. Coproporphyrin, one of three urinary
porphyrins
altered by mercury exposure, was significantly associated with deficits
in
digit span and simple reaction time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Publication Types:
 a.. Clinical Trial
 b.. Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 7760775 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://tinyurl.com/qehsr

Women in dental surgeries: reproductive hazards in occupational
exposure to
metallic mercury.

Sikorski R, Juszkiewicz T, Paszkowski T, Szprengier-Juszkiewicz T.

Clinic of Gynaecology, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academy
of
Medicine, Lublin, Poland.

Eighty-one women (45 dentists and 36 dental assistants) occupationally
exposed to metallic mercury underwent a toxicoclinical examination.
Total
mercury lebels (TMLs) were determined in scalp and pubic hair by cold
vapour
AAS. Furthermore a detailed questionnaire study was made concerning
adverse
reproductive events. TMLs in the hair of the exposed women examined
exceeded
significantly those determined in the hair of 34 controls not exposed
to
mercury. All exposed women had continued working during pregnancy.
There was
a significant, positive association between TMLs in the hair of exposed

women and the occurrence of reproductive failures in their history. The

relation between TMLs in the scalp hair and the prevalence of menstrual

cycle disorders was statistically significant. These findings indicate
that
dental work could be another occupational hazard with respect to
reproductive processes.

PMID: 3679554 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://tinyurl.com/rvmr5

Neurophysiological and neuropsychological function in mercury-exposed
dentists.

Shapiro IM, Cornblath DR, Sumner AJ, Uzzell B, Spitz LK, Ship II, Bloch
P.

In a study of the relation between cumulative exposure to mercury and
chronic health impairment 298 dentists had their mercury levels
measured by
an X-ray fluorescence technique. Electrodiagnostic and
neuropsychological
findings in the dentists with more than 20 micrograms/g tissue mercury
levels were compared with those of a control group consisting of
dentists
with no detectable mercury levels. 30% of the 23 high mercury dentists
had
polyneuropathies. No polyneuropathies were detected in the control
group.
The high mercury group had mild visuographic dysfunction; they also had
more
symptom-distress than did the control group. These findings suggest
that the
use of mercury as a restorative material is a health risk for dentists.

PMID: 6122938 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.chem-tox.com/immunesystem/dentalfillings/amalgams.htm

http://www.nutrition4health.org/NOHAnews/NNF98SilverFillingsUpdate.htm

http://www.bioprobe.com/ReadNews.asp?article=28