The Tooth About Dentistry

[salvorhardin]

Point of Inquiry had an interesting interview with dentist John Dodes, author of The Whole Tooth, about dental myths and misconceptions. Thought it might be of interest.

In this interview with Karen Stollznow, John talks about evidence-based dentistry and the inadequate teaching of the scientific method to students of dentistry. He reveals some of the hazardous practices of "Holistic Dentistry", and the integrative use of chiropractic, kinesiology and homeopathy.

John clears up some classic dental myths and misconceptions—is the fluoridation of our water supplies safe? Are we being poisoned by our amalgam fillings? He also discusses some paranormal dental claims; that psychic dentists can fix cavities, and that God can turn fillings into gold.

Lastly, John explains how to avoid dangerous practitioners and treatments and provides advice for consumers to make the best choices about dental healthcare.
Link: http://www.pointofinquiry.org/john_dodes_the_tooth_about_dentistry

[Manifestor_of_Light]

1. must be an American Dental association shill.

Did you know that a group of dentists has sued the A.D.A. for free speech violations?
They have told their members that if they speak out against mercury, they will lose their membership in the group and possibly their licenses to practice dentistry.

http://www.toxicteeth.org/pressRoom_releases_061201.aspx

Lawsuits against American Dental Association and California Dental Association

Los Angeles, California, 06/12/01 -- The American Dental Association and its California affiliate were sued today in California Superior Court for their unlawful practice of deceiving patients about the presence of mercury in the most widely used type of dental fillings. The case charges the ADA and its largest state affiliate with deceiving consumers into thinking amalgam fillings are made of silver, when in fact the major component (about 50%) is mercury (see attached ADA brochure, "Answers to your questions about Silver Fillings"). Only about 25% of a mercury amalgam filling is composed of silver.

The lawsuits were filed this morning by public interest attorneys Shawn Khorrami of Los Angeles and Charles G. Brown of Washington, D.C. on behalf of organizations and individuals active in the effort to end the use of mercury in dental amalgam fillings (see list below).

In addition to filing the lawsuits, the attorneys served 60 days notice (as required by law), that they intend to sue the ADA under the provisions of Proposition 65, the anti-toxics measure passed by California voters in 1986. Under Prop. 65, the State of California has identified mercury as a chemical known to be a reproductive and/or developmental toxin.

"It is long past time for the ADA and the CDA to "open wide" and start using the "M" word," said Brown, the former West Virginia state Attorney General who is the lead attorney for the national legal battle against mercury in dental fillings. "Mercury is universally recognized as an extremely dangerous toxin. One filling contains 750 milligrams of mercury, enough to contaminate a small lake. The ADA is out of the medical mainstream in claiming that mercury is safe for use in human beings. The rest of the medical world is eliminating the use of mercury in all other circumstances . People have the right to know the truth from the dental establishment about the dangers of mercury."

"The ADA and CDA are out of step not only with the rest of the medical community, but with California law," said Khorrami. "The State of California identifies mercury as a toxic substance, and under Prop. 65, therefore, dentists are required to warn their patients about it. Our complaint is not with individual dentists, many of whom share our concern about the use of mercury, but with the ADA, which has a vested economic interest in the continued use of mercury and which has exercised undue and unfair pressure on dentists not to warn their patients of the dangers of mercury."

"The amount of mercury in each dental filling is colossal by medical standards," said Dr. Boyd E. Haley, Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Kentucky and an expert in the study of the dangers of mercury to human health, who joined the attorneys at the press conference. "Mercury amalgam is dangerous before it goes into the mouth, and it is a hazardous material when it comes out. Each filling has 750,000 micrograms of mercury. A person with four fillings has three grams of mercury in his or her mouth, enough to shut down a lake, a school, or a business."

[trotsky]

2. Now that looks like an honest, unbiased source fer shure! n/t