ADA Comments on FDA's Settlement of Dental Amalgam Lawsuit

WASHINGTON, June 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Dental Association
(ADA) believes the recent settlement between the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and the group Moms Against Mercury simply sets a definite
deadline (July 28, 2009) for the FDA to complete what it began in 2002 -- a
reclassification process for dental amalgam, a commonly used cavity filling
material. As far as the ADA is aware, the FDA has in no way changed its
approach to, or position on, dental amalgam.

Contrary to some assertions, the FDA's current reclassification proposal does
not call for restrictions on the use of amalgam in any particular population
group. It merely restates FDA's ongoing call for public comments on that
issue, as well as the findings of the most current scientific studies on
amalgam.

"People depend on the FDA and other government health agencies to help protect
their health. It's critically important that public health recommendations are
based on sound scientific evidence," states ADA President Mark J. Feldman,
DMD. "The ADA will continue to advocate for the best oral health of the public
as part of the FDA regulatory process."

Presently, FDA has different classifications for encapsulated amalgam and its
component parts, dental mercury and amalgam alloy. The FDA's proposed
reclassification, which the ADA has supported since 2002, would place
encapsulated amalgam and its components under one classification.

Based on extensive studies and scientific reviews of dental amalgam by
government and independent organizations worldwide, the ADA believes that
dental amalgam remains a safe, affordable and durable cavity filling choice
for dental patients.

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association,
representing more than 156,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral
health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted
the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art
research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have
advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more
positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected
guide to consumer dental care products. JADA, a monthly journal, is the ADA's
flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For
more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at
www.ada.org

SOURCE American Dental Association

Robert Raible, +1-202-789-5166, raibler@ada.org, or Fred Peterson,
+1-312-440-2806, petersonf@ada.org, both of American Dental Association