Why dental amalgam use in children should stop – Experts

Experts have called for the phase down of dental amalgam use in children under the age of 16 years.

Dental amalgam is a common material used to fill cavities.

They said it should also not be used for pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers, among others.

The experts said it is dangerous to human health and caused environmental pollution.

They disclosed this during a meeting in Benin with the theme, ‘Towards Mercury-Free Dentistry’.

The Executive Director, Sustainable Environment Development Initiative (SEDI), Dr. Tom Aneni, said dental amalgam, a filling for cavities, contains about 50 percent mercury which is a neurotoxin, a pollutant and also harmful to human health.

He said ending the use of dental amalgam would ensure improved dental health and a cleaner environment for children and women as well as promoting disease prevention and protection.

Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, said research had shown that amalgam contained 50 percent of elemental mercury which was a toxic substance dangerous to the heart, kidney, lung, cardiovascular and immune system.

Represented by Pastor (Mrs.) Alex Enunwaoyi, Osifor added that “it is particularly dangerous to the vulnerable group, such as pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and infants.”

He stressed the need to replace dental amalgam alternative that was easily affordable and sustainable.

He said, “I support the use of alternative for dental amalgam and all measures needed to ensure a gradual phase out of amalgam with the use of alternative.”

President of the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, Charles Brown, noted that the campaign to phase down Amalga in Nigeria and the world at large was being moved to the various governments.

Brown also said the organisation was out to ensure mercury-free dentistry across the world, adding that the harmful nature of the material led to the Minamata Declaration in 2013. gradually with an accessible,