Philadelphia tables amalgam debate

The Philadelphia Board of Health voted May 13 to table its discussion of proposed changes to a controversial ordinance requiring that dentists give patients specific information before placing amalgam restorations.

The Dental Amalgam Information Sheet states that "the mercury levels in people with amalgam fillings are not high enough to be considered toxic." But it also quotes the FDA as saying "dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses."

Antiamalgam activists were quick to claim victory because at this meeting the board did not make changes to the information sheet, despite proposals from the Pennsylvania Dental Association and other groups.

The board plans to return to the topic after consulting with the FDA, a board spokesman said.

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