* We take it to the ADA in Philly
The ADA convention had an unwelcome set of visitors – we folks calling for a ban on mercury fillings. Led by Freya Koss, we had a counter-conference, did pickets at the conference, and made mercury fillings the main topic in the TV and newspaper news. The ADA can’t hide from us any more.
* Watson-Burton bill introduced with highest number of sponsors ever
Twelve Members of Congress, so far, are sponsoring H.R. 4011, the new Watson-Burton bill to ban mercury amalgam. This year’s bill adds a new reason: the environment. With Richard Butcher working to add Democrats, and John Rowe working to add Republicans, we expect more to sign on this fall. Both have asked me to pass on their request to urge your Member of Congress to enlist.
* Zero Mercury summit of major environmental groups
Here in Washington, we helped host a two-day gathering of over 50 environmental leaders to talk about one subject: mercury. Our issue, mercury amalgam, was one of the three issues addressed. Under the leadership of Michael Bender of the Mercury Policy Project, we have made enormous strides in merging our ban movement with the environmental goal of banning mercury products
* We head to the courts to abolish mercury fillings in CT
Consumers for Dental Choice, joined by 4 CT residents, filed our appeal in the fight to ban mercury fillings. With a great legal team -- Doug Cohen, Nancy Reiner, and Mike Kozlik of the premier Brown Rudnick firm -- we get a neutral umpire to look at this issue. A ruling could come by the spring of 2006.
* WA state dental board under fire
A series in the Seattle Post Intelligencer portrays a board in the pocket of the Washington state dental association. Our activists – Mary Ann Newell, Ann Clifton, and our board president Sandy Duffy – are quick to respond. On November 10, they will present a petition to that board, calling for disclosures of the risks of mercury fillings, a definitive statement against the gag rule, and an end to the deceptive term “silver.”
* First-ever Mercury Dental Amalgam Week celebrated
Amanda Ganong led a Washington event involving vapor testing of capital visitors on the Washington monument mall, and folks all over the country did events
* The truth emerges in CO
Dr. Matt Falkenstein of Durango is advertising “mercury-free dentistry,” driving the Colorado dental association batty. Of course, that is Matt’s Constitutional right, a right affirmed in Mark Breiner’s federal case in Connecticut by the ACLU earlier this year.
Charlie Brown
November 1, 2005
Charles G. Brown, National Counsel
Consumers for Dental Choice and
Coalition for Mercury-Free Dentistry
1725 K St., N.W., Suite 511
Washington , DC 20006
Ph. 202.822-6307; fax 822-6309
charlie@toxicteeth.org