OTTAWA - Health Canada today released its position statement on dental amalgam "The Safety of Dental Amalgam." The position statement follows two years of assessment and consultation with scientists and governments both within Canada and abroad and provides guidance on the use of dental amalgam.

The statement states that current evidence does not indicate that dental amalgam is causing illness in the general population. It also says that a ban is not justified, and neither is the removal of existing sound amalgam fillings.

The Department recommends that dental amalgam not be used in people allergic to mercury, those with impaired kidney function, or in contact with existing metal devices, such as braces. The Department also recommends, that whenever possible, amalgam fillings should not be placed in or removed from the teeth of pregnant women and that alternatives should be considered for use in the primary teeth of children. It also makes a number of recommendations to dentists about technique and handling of dental amalgam. The statement emphasizes that dentists should be providing their patients with sufficient information to make an informed choice regarding the material used to fill their teeth.

The Department issued these guidelines to all Canadian dentists and doctors today.

Media Inquiries:
Monette Haché
(613) 957-1803

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991


	Last Updated: 1996-08-21		Important Notices