Sponsored by: Dental Materials
Description: IADR and FDI have advocated the phase-up of effective prevention through health promotion programs for caries and they have reaffirmed the safety and effectiveness of amalgam. To maintain the global public health, a phase-down of amalgam will be appropriate only when suitable alternative restorative materials are available.
Learning Objectives:
Provide an explanation of why international emphasis been shifted towards caries prevention rather than biological safety issues with respect to dental amalgam.
List the reasons why the use of dental amalgam has not been banned in most countries.
List the criteria for judging the effectiveness of suitable alternatives to dental amalgam.