OVER AND OUT FOR AMALGAM
July 2, 2003
Headline news on Norwegian radio, NRK (national station)
"Starting today, dentists may only use amalgam in teeth as an exception to the rule." (www.nrk.no/nyheter/innenriks/2881093.html - in Norwegian)
The Directorate for Health and Social Welfare (in Norway) today introduces more stringent rules regarding the use of dental amalgam. Starting today, dentists may only use amalgam as a dental filling material in exceptional cases.
Dentists who choose to use amalgam must record the reasons in the patient's journal, and are required to inform the patient about the new guidelines in advance of the treatment.
Many dentists have already stopped using amalgam."
Direct from Maryanne Rygg, Norwegian correspondent:
Yes, this is a happy day. A representative for the Directorate for Health and Social Welfare, Björn Guldvog, said in an interview that the new restrictions were due to the mercury contained in dental amalgam, which may be a health hazard. He qualified this, however, by saying that no injuries from mercury in amalgam have as yet been documented! It appears to me that the strategy the Norwegian health authorities have decided to follow is to phase out dental amalgam without admitting that it has harmed anyone. In my mind I see "Pinocchio" noses getting longer and longer!