Multi Million Dollar U.S. Government Study Connects Dental...

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News Release

April 18, 2001

For Immediate Release

All that Glitters is not Silver

Toronto- A multi-million dollar U.S. Government study conducted between

1988 and 1994 could hold the key to producing epidemiological data linking

dental fillings to a myriad of illnesses.

Mercury amalgam dental fillings, commonly referred to as 'Silver' dental

fillings, contain between 48 & 55 % mercury. While the American Dental

Association originally denied that mercury from these fillings leaked vapor

which is absorbed into the bodies of persons having this dental filling

material, in recent years, facing numerous studies to the contrary, have

had to concede, that 'silver fillings' , do leak mercury vapor, one of the

most toxic substances known to man.

States Pam Floener, a spokesperson for the International Academy of Oral

Medicine and Toxicology, " The metallic mercury used by dentists to

manufacture dental amalgam is shipped as a hazardous material to the dental

office. When amalgams are removed, for whatever reason, they are treated as

hazardous waste and are required to be disposed of in accordance with OSHA

regulations and it is inconceivable that the mouth could be considered a

safe storage container for this toxic material. "

This new information, comes straight from the National Institute of Health

and has been brought to light by Citizens for Mercury Relief (CFMR), a

Canadian Group that in 1998 initiated a Federal Class

Action Lawsuit against the manufacturers of mercury dental amalgam and

Health Canada, that is currently awaiting court certification.

The summary of events that occurred are as follows:

Ernie Mezei, a participant with CFMR who holds degrees in chemistry and

electrical engineering, started looking for epidemiological data to support

the damage done by mercury fillings. His search led him to the Framingham

Heart Study, but it was concluded that the information required to conduct a

statistical analysis was absent.

When contacted, a representative from the National Institute of Health

suggested that a study that would have the information that was required for

analysis would be the NHANES III Study (National Health and Nutritional

Examination Survey), a study that according to the mission statement of

National Center for Health Sciences " is to provide statistical information

that will guide the actions and policies to improve health of the American

people. As the Nation's principal health statistics agency, NCHS leads

the way with accurate, relevant, and timely data. "

CFMR then retained Datastep, a company in California who specializes in

running statistical analysis. Datastep was asked to run a statistical

analysis to see if they could find any links to dental fillings and adverse

health conditions.

Their initial figures revealed that while 78% of the

American public have dental fillings, 95% of the people with International

Classification of Disease Codes 340-349: Disorders of the Central Nervous

System which include MS, Epilepsy, Paralysis and Migraines, have dental

fillings.

In addition, initial figures also demonstrated that in the Major Chapter of

Circulatory Disorders ( ICD-9-M Codes 390-459 which includes rheumatic

fever, heart disease, pulmonary circulation, hypertension, and arterial

disease), that this group is 33% filling free, an astounding result

considering that the rest of the American population is 18% filling free.

Mezei says " clearly the survivors of heart disease have a much higher rate

of being dental filling-free, and we know heart disease is the #1 Killer in

the United States " but also stated that " he would not be surprised if the

American Dental Association tried to say that these figures meant that

dental fillings prevented heart disease " .

Dr. Mark , formerly a Health Canada Risk Assessor and author of

the Report, a controversial government report, which resulted in

Health Canada publishing a position paper that advised that pregnant women

and children should not have mercury amalgams placed and should restrict

their intake of fish, has reviewed the preliminary statistics produced and

both he and DataStep agree that the initial information is compelling and

that money should be made available for more statistical analysis to be

done.

At very least, it has been determined that dental fillings rates do have a

correlation with disease for the American Public, but according to Mezei, it

is now up to the Americans to pick up the ball and run with it.

A News Conference has been scheduled for 9:30 a.m. April 24th , at the

National Press Club in Washington D.C., where the statistical analysis will

be made available and full details of a number of mercury related legal

actions will be announced.