Posted by leeran on April 30, 2003, at 21:05:40
In reply to Dental Amalgam, and paranoia » leeran, posted by mattdds on April 30, 2003, at 19:07:31
Matt,
Thank you for your concern.
One of my links was invalid due to a double quote I added at the end.
http://www.epa.gov/seahome/mercury/src/ways.htm
The last paragraph from this EPA (Environmental Protection Agency, a government run agency here in the United States), link states the following (I am referencing the last sentence in particular):
"Humans are exposed to mercury primarily through ingestion of fish that contain methylmercury. Inhalation of mercury vapors is a potential occupational risk in industries that process or use mercury. Skin contact with materials containing organic mercury and elemental mercury may also result in mercury exposure. People with dental amalgams that contain mercury have greater exposure."
It doesn't state "may" have greater exposure. I took that into careful consideration when making my decision.
Perhaps you didn't have time to read my post closely. I am having a broken molar repaired as well as the tooth in front of it. Two repairs. No one has suggested the complete removal of my amalgam fillings, nor have I requested that procedure.
I researched my dentist thoroughly before choosing him from the list of providers who are covered by my family's insurance plan. I research everything that I feel might have an impact on my family, health, finances or future, i.e. my psychiatrist, the medications Lexapro, Wellbutrin, my son's prospective high school before we moved, stocks, savings accounts, etc.
I don't believe that either one of my posts indicated that I was advocating any action on anyone else's part regarding their choices in dental care. Someone asked a question, and I responded based on my recent experience.
As an aside, I live in California. This state requires posting notices in environments where dangerous materials are used. For example, in dry cleaners, on lead china as well as in dental offices (or anywhere else a material is used that is labeled as toxic).
My dentist is not a someone suggesting a "quack-o" procedure, as you put it.
He is a professor at a major university in Southern California, considered to be one of the leading private research universities in the world. He also has a large dental practice in this area and has been in the dental profession for about thirty years.
The proposed plan of treatment, which includes two porcelain fillings, was his diagnosis. I had never even heard much about the amalgam filling debate until I followed a link from this board to a website regarding magnesium and depression.
That said, I did not mention any fear I may have of mercury or the desire to have any and all of my fillings replaced during my visit. I usually leave the diagnosis to the doctor/dentist.
Although I respect the American Dental Association's position on amalgam fillings, I do not adopt a profession's beliefs just because they say it is so. As a consumer, I consider it my option to investigate anything on which I choose to spend my money, including health care.
Given my dentist's proposed plan of treatment I came home and decided to review my options from what I considered reliable sources (the FDA, the EPA and others) before making my final decision.
To be honest, I felt that your post seemed to be leaning toward an implication that I'm paranoid or that I'm advocating the notion that people adopt certain behaviors based on my own beliefs - which couldn't be farther from the truth.
From what I've observed on these boards, people are free to offer up suggestions, links, and ask questions with the natural assumption that no one is trying to push anything off on anyone else(medications, advice, natural remedies, etc.)
As for Hal Huggins, I have no idea who he is or what point you were trying to make.
Lee
poster:leeran
thread:223248
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030429/msgs/223534.html