Newswise — Region V of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the American Dental Association (ADA) a grant to provide information to dentists in the Great Lakes region on ADA's Best Management Practices for handling dental amalgam waste. Dental amalgam is a silver-colored material widely used to fill cavities and is made when elemental mercury is combined with other metals into a stable alloy. ADA's Best Management Practices promote the responsible handling of amalgam waste and recycling.
The $45,000 grant enables the ADA to distribute informational packets, including an ADA brochure and video produced in collaboration with the Naval Institute for Dental and Biomedical Research, to more than 40,000 practicing dentists in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Dentistry contributes less than one percent of all mercury released to the environment from human activity. Nevertheless, the ADA believes it is important for dentists to do their part to protect the environment. To assist dentists in their efforts, the ADA published a comprehensive set of Best Management Practices for Amalgam Waste, as well as the brochure, video and a poster for dental office staff. Information on the ADA's Best Management Practices is available on the ADA's Web site: http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/amalgam_bmp.asp
According to ADA Executive Director James B. Bramson, D.D.S., the ADA continues to lead the way in efforts to help dentists protect the environment. In addition to promoting amalgam recycling to its 149,000 members, the ADA also provides dentists with information on recycling silver and lead waste generated during x-ray procedures.
"Dentists go to work each day to improve and protect patients' oral health," Dr. Bramson states. "Protecting the environment is a natural extension of that dedication."
The not-for-profit American Dental Association (ADA) is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 149,000 members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer and professional products. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at http://www.ada.org.
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