We are excited to extend the celebration of our 10th Annual Mercury-Free Dentistry Week. Hidden from us for too long is this stark fact: Mercury,
the most toxic and volatile of the heavy metals, is the main component of
dental amalgam (also called, incorrectly, “silver” fillings). Alternatives to
amalgam are available in any dental office, and every consumer should
demand nontoxic, nonpolluting mercury-free fillings.
To phase out amalgam in North America and worldwide, we
partner with the amazing nonprofit group Consumers for Dental Choice. This
talented team of consumer advocates, environmentalists and health professionals
work tirelessly — and effectively — to stop the use of dental mercury around
the world. All week, therefore, I will match all donations up to $150,000.
This year our theme is “Mercury-Free Dentistry: From Dream
to Reality.” Ten governments have ended amalgam use or set a specific phase-out
date. Many others, such as the 27-nation European Union, have ended amalgam use
in children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. This progress is
creating unrelenting pressure for the U.S. to do the same! Consumers for Dental
Choice continues to break barriers that limit consumer access to mercury-free
dentistry and to force federal and state government agencies to be accountable.