Question Hi .. i am a student and want to do research on any controversial issues in biology. I choose the field of dentistry but couldn't find any such issues. As a dentist could you tell me about any such issues that you have heard about or faced yourself....
Thanks
Answer Hi Ayesha
Yes - how about the use of dental amalgam? Amalgam contains a mixture of metals that set hard when reacted with mercury - it has been used for over a hundred and fifty years as the main filling material. However, mercury is a poison - it is highly toxic - yet when used in amalgam it appears safe - there have been no cases of mercury toxicity from use of dental amalgam.
Sweden banned amalgam a few years ago for environmental reasons (worried about release of mercury from waste amalgam/cremation of bodies etc.), and until recently its use was fully endorsed by the British Dental Association and the American Dental Association - although the ADA have recently had a change of heart!
I am an experienced general dental practitioner in private dental practice. I have worked for the past 25 or so years in the UK, and own a busy practice in Stratford upon Avon,
Stratford Dental. From early 2012 my wife and I moved to Canberra, Australia, where I have taken up the position of Lead Dentist in a large city-centre practice. I will happily answer questions related to general practice, and have interests in endodontics (root canal), dental implants, CEREC/E4D cad-cam dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.
Experience
I have been a general dental practitioner for over 25 years, working initially under the NHS, but since 2001 have been solely in private practice. I run a busy practice with my wife, Lisa, who is also a dentist. I have also been closely involved in the training of young dentists, and have lectured to dentists on a variety of subjects, both clinical and managerial, related to general dental practice.