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DATE: November 15. 1995
Senator Patti Noland. Chair
Representative Sue Grace. Chair
Pursuant to Title 32. Chapter 31. Arizona Revised Statues. the Committee of Reference.
after performing a sunrise review and conducting a public hearing. recommend the following:
A separate re~ulatorv board for the holistic dentists not be created.
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Senator JJm~~ I kntkrson..Ir '--
Repn:sentative Kathl Foster
Pursuant to section 31-3104. Arizona Revised Statutes. the Joint Legislative Audit
Committee (JLAC) assigned the sunrise review of the regulation of holistic dentists to the Senate
and House Health Committee of Reference. Attached is a copy of the application for regulation
submitted to the Committee of Reference by the Arizona Holistic Dental Association and The
Coalition of Concerned Citizens for Freedom of Choice for Dental Care in Arizona. (Attachment
On November 15. 1995. the Committee of Reference held a public hearing to receive
testimony on the proposed regulation of holistic dentists. Those testit~'ing included members of
the medical profession. the Arizona Holistic Dental Association. The Coalition for Concerned
Citizens for Freedom of Choice for Dental Care in Arizona. the Arizona Dental Board and
members of the public.
The proposal was to permit holistic dentists. who arc currentl: regulated under tIll'
Arizona Dental Board. to ha\e Its O\\n regulatory board. The :\rilOna Ilolist [)ental :\ssllciation
and The Coalition of Concerned Citizens tllr Freedom llf Choice tllr [)ental Care In .\rizllna
submitted a \\Titten report to the committee \\hich addressed the follo\\ing Llctllrs
:\. :\ detinitionllf the prubkm and \\ h: a separate regulator: hoard 1\11' holistiC
dentists \\as necessar:. including the extent to \\llIl:h consumL'r neL'd" \\ ill hene/it
frulll a separate hoard
B. :\n cxplan:ltion ofthL'n;lturc ofp0lL'ntlal harm to the puhllc IlthL' l~r\dL'''''IOIl \\as
not reg ulated separatel: .
C. :\n L'xplanation ol'a need to estahllsh a m:l1ntenanlOe ll,'L,thIC;I! aill.! L'dUC,lll\1I1al
standards \\ ithin the pnlksslon.
Ill. (,()\I\IITTlOI RI('()\1\11,\[):\TI(),\S
I, The COlllmlttee recomlllended that a separate regulator: hoard for IHllistlc dentists
not he created stating that sufficient e\idence was not pruduced indlcaling that the
puhlic sakty or freedolll ofchllicl' in dental care was in,ieopard:,
A. Application for Regulation
B. Minutes of the Committee of Reference Meeting
August 23, 1995
Joint Legislative Audit Committee
c/o Representative Sue Grace
Capitol Complex
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890
Joint Legislative Audit Committee:
The Arizona Holistic Dental Association has been formed to promote Holistic Dentistry
in Arizona. Holistic/Biological Dentistry stresses the use of nontoxic restoration
materials for dental work, and focuses on the unrecognized impact that dental toxins
and hidden dental infections can have on overall health. Holistic/Biological Dentistry
treats the teeth, jaw, and related structures with specific regard to how treatment will
affect the entire body. (Refer to attachment # 1)
The Arizona State Dental Board of Examiners has little or no knowledge of, and as a
consequence, little regard for holistic principles and modalities. The Board openly
denies that it is prejudiced toward this type of dentistry. However, on August 11, 1995
Dr. Terry J. Lee, who practices holistic/biological dentistry, went before the Arizona
State Dental Board of Examiners with his legal counsel. The prinCiple argument put
forth was that Dr. Lee should not be singled out on-the basIs of his holiStiC dental
philosophies for prejudicial treatment by the Board. but that he should be Investigated
and disciplined in the same manner as any other dentist who comes before the Board.
While this argument found favor with two Board members. it was summarily rejected by
the other members of the Board As a result of an 82 vote. the Board recommended
the complaint against Dr. Lee be advanced to a formal hearing. Under Arizona statute,
the only means available to the Board to revoke or suspend a license IS through a
formal hearing It IS the opinion of Dr Lee's legal counsel the Board may be laying the
groundwork to revoke or suspend Dr Lee's license to practice dentistry As a member
of the Board pOinted out at the August 11. 1995. Board meeting. the allegations against
Dr. Lee are no more severe than allegations routinely levied against other dentists, and
whose complaints do not proceed to a formal hearing (Refer to attachment #2)
Currently other licensed dentist In Arizona who give Information to patients regarding
alterative dental techniques and procedures are also subject to Intimidation. censure.
and financial depletion. An example of the Board's aggressive treatment against holistiC
and alternative dentists is eVident In Complaint No 93057 filed against Dr Cecil Barton,
a "mercury free" dentist In Scottsdale. Arizona Dr Barton had placed an advertisement
in a local health related publication which stated
page 2
Choose a healthy alternative. Cleanse and
detoxify your body. Remove potential toxic
silver (mercury) fillings.
Additionally, Dr. Barton had printed literature available in his office addressing the
potentially toxic nature of mercury fillings.
A complaint was filed against Dr. Barton, not by a patient, but directly by the Dental
Board. The Board alleged false and misleading advertising. The Panel who
investigated the complaint recommended dismissal of all allegations against Dr. Barton.
However, when the matter went before the Dental Board, the Board without producing
any evidence to support its position, ordered disciplinary sanctions against Dr. Barton.
These sanctions included:
1. Censure
2. 6 hours of CE in ethics
3. 12 months probation
4. Administrative penalty in the amount of $1,000.00
Believing the Board's action was not supported by the record or scientific fact, Dr.
Barton was forced to appeal the Board's decision to Superior Court. The appeal was
filed as Case Number CV94-17269 on October 31,1994. As of August 30,1995, the
Board has still not filed the administrative record in order to allow for a judicial review of
its decIsion in this complaint.
Another example of the Board's seemingly selective handling of a complaint against an
"alternative dentist" is Complaint No. 95114 filed against Dr. Delbert Nichols. Dr.
Nichols is a holistic dentist from Snowflake, Anzona. Pursuant to formal notice sent by
the Board, Dr. Nichols prepared for and drove to Phoenix to attend an Investigative
Interview on June 23. 1995. Dr. Nichols was accompanied by his legal counsel. The
Complainant did not attend the Investigative Interview even though the Board's file
Indicated she had received notice of the proceeding At the conclUSion of the Interview,
the Investigative Panel determined there were no valid grounds for imposing disCiplinary
sanctions and recommended dismissing the complaint. However, unlike other
complaints heard on the same day as Complaint No. 95114, Dr. Nichols' complaint did
not appear on the agenda for the August 11. 1995, Board meeting. When Dr Nichols'
legal counsel contacted the Board's administrative staff, he was advised that Dr.
Nichols' complaint was being sent back for another Investigative Interview sometime in
October Dr Nichols. through legal counsel. has requested a written explanation as to
why Dr Nichols will be forced to take additional time out of his practice, return to
Phoenix, and pay for legal counsel, to attend another Interview. To date, Dr. Nichols is
still awaiting a formal response from the Board. Is this yet another example of the
Board's "special" treatment of alternative dentists?
page 3
In response to the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners' treatment toward Dr. Lee
and other Holistic Dentists in Arizona, a coalition of citizens of Arizona have formed,
"The Coalition of Concerned Citizen for Freedom of Choice for Dental Care in Arizona."
Their mission statement is:
Freedom of Choice and Speech are being denied to the Citizens of Arizona by the State
through its appointed representatives on the State Board of Dental Examiners.
These freedoms which are being threatened are:
1. Patient access to alternative dental care that has been proven to be beneficial
to their health.
2. Patient access to information of documented scientific dental research which
would assist them in making informed choices in their dental care.
3. Patient access to dental practitioners to whom patients are being referred by
other licensed health care professionals.
Currently, any licensed dentist in Arizona who gives information to patients regarding
alternative dental techniques and procedures is subject to intimidation, censure,
financial depletion, and suspension of license.
This adverse and unfair treatment is prompted solely by the passion and prejudice of
members of the Arizona State Dental Board.
By eliminating the alternative dentist through harassment, and emotional and financial
duress inflicted by the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners, the State IS eliminating
the basIc right of choice and speech for dental patients In Arizona
We, as dental patients and citizens of Arizona issue a plea that the State of Anzona
create a new and Independent Board of Holistic Dental Examiners that will guarantee
the cItizens of Anzona the nght to have Freedom of Choice to receive the type of dental
care which they desire a Freedom which IS now In serious jeopardy
In the state of Arizona we have licensed Homeopathic, Naturopathic, and Chiropractic
Boards Legislation has been enacted for these types of medical practices because of
the needs and desires of the citizens of Arizona Presently, alternative medicine IS
becoming a household word and very well known throughout the United States and the
world Recently the state of Oregon passed a "Health Freedom Act" as well as the
states of New York. North Carolina, Washington, Iowa, Alaska, Nevada, and
Connecticut Presently. before the United States Congress IS a national "Health
Freedom Act" and if passed will guarantee "Health Freedom" to all of the states'
page 4
In addition the University of Arizona School of Medicine has its own Alternative Medical
Department as well as several other medical schools in the United States including
Harvard. In January 1995 St. Joseph Hospital in Phoenix along with the Mercy Care
Clinic and Cigna have combined to have an alternative health care division. Also it has
been announced recently that the well known Mayo Clinics will have an Alternative
Health division in Scottsdale. Showing the further need and desire of the citizens of
Arizona for this type of health care.
Because of the symbiotic relationship that exists between homeopathic physicians,
holistic physicians, and holistic dentists, these physicians are dependent upon the
availability of holistic dentists to achieve their ultimate medical goals and cannot afford
to lose access to Arizona licensed D.D.S.'s and D.M.D.'s. Arizona citizens should not
have to leave the state, or worse yet, leave the country to receive the treatments being
recommended by their alternative physicians.
In the past much effort has been expended by the International Academy of Oral
Medicine and Toxicology and other organizations to try to inform state dental boards
throughout the country including the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners about the
hazards of amalgam fillings. As recent as August 10, 1995 each Arizona State Dental
Board Member received by certified mail a letter from the IAOMT. (Refer to attachment
# 3)
Therefore The Coalition of Concerned Citizens for Freedom of Choice for Dental
Care in Arizona and the Arizona Holistic Dental Association request the Joint
Legislative Audit Committee to meet and consider our proposal to form a new
and independent Board of Holistic Dental Examiners so that the citizens of
Arizona can maintain their Freedom of Choice for Holistic Dental Care.
An alterative to forming a new and separate HolistiC Dental Board of Examiners would
be to have the HolistiC Dentists of Arizona come under the regulation of the Arizona
Homeopathic Medical Board of Examiners The reason why this would be a logical
choice IS because their prinCiples and modalities are based on the same philosophies
At this time the Homeopathic Medical Board may be hesitant to accept this proposal
because they are In the process of having their Sunset Review and do not want to
Jeopardize their POSition
Arizona HoliStiC Dental Association
4210 N 32nd Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
The Coalition of Concerned Citizens for
Freedom of Choice for Dental Care in
i i
, <
, . ~:
Copyright © 1993 by Future Medicine
Publishing, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Library of Congress Catalogue Card
Number: 93-74059
Cover design by 3DMARK, Inc.
Typesetting: 3DMARK, Inc.
No part of this book may be reproduced in
any form without the expressed written
consent of the publisher, except by a
reviewer. who may quote brief passages in
connection with a review.
Printed in the United States of America.
" Dental problems such
as cavities, infections, toxic
or allergy-producing filling
materials, root canals, and
misalignment of the teeth
or jaw can have farreaching
effects throughout
the bod\'. "
Biological dentistry stresses the use of nontoxic restoration materials for dental
work, and focuses on the unrecognized impact that dental toxins and hidden dental
infections can have on overall health.
Tere ;s a growing recogn;';on among alternative dentists and
physicians that dental health has a tremendous impact on the overall
health of the body. European researchers estimate that perhaps as much as
half of all chronic degenerative illness can be linked either directly or
indirectly to dental problems and the traditional techniques of modern
dentistry used to treat them. The well-publicized dangers
associated with the use of silver/mercury fillings
(amalgams) are only the tip of the iceberg as far as the
negati ve impact that dentistry can have on a person's
"One of the big problems in the United States," says
Gary Yerigan, D.D.S., of Escalon. California, "is that
dentists al"e trained to practice Wleh only the most meager
of diagnostic equipment. These Instruments, consisting
primarily of x-rays. are incapable of detecting enough
about the tooth and its surrounding environment, giving the
-Hal Huggins. D.D.S. dentist only a superficial understanding of the problem and
the impact it may be having on the patient's overall health. People often
go through many doctors and therapies in search of answers for their
problems, never realizing that their chronic conditions may be traceable to
dental complications."
In contrast. biological dentistry treats the teeth. jaw, and related
structures with specific regard to how treatment will affect the entire
body. According to Hal Huggins, D.D.S., of Colorado Springs, Colorado,
a pioneer in this field. "Dental problems such as cavities, infections, toxic
or allergy-producing filling materials, root canals, and misalignment of
the teeth or jaw can have far-reaching effects throughout the body."
How Dental Problems Contribute to Illness
"Dental infections and dental disturbances can cause pain and
dysfunction throughout the body,". state.s Edward .Aran~:.D.D.S:, Pr~si~ent
of the American Academy of BIOlogIcal Dentistry, mcludmg limIted
motion and loose tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Structural and
physiological dysfunction can also occur, impairing organs and glands."
Dr. Arana cites several major types of dental problems that can cause
illness and dysfunction in the body:
• Infections under and around teeth
• Problems with specific teeth related to the acupuncture meridians
and the autonomic nervous system
• Root canals
• Toxicity from dental restoration materials
• Bio-incompatability to dental restoration materials
• Electrogalvanism and ion migration
• Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), a painful condition of
the jaw, usually caused by stress or injury
Some of the more common causes of these dental problems are
unerupted teeth (teeth that have not broken through the gum), wisdom
teeth (both impacted and unimpacted), amalgam-filled cavities and root
canals, cysts, bone cavities, and areas of bone condensation due to
inflammation in the bone. These conditions can be diagnosed using
testing methods such as blood tests, applied kinesiology, electroacupuncture
biofeedback, and, in some cases, x-rays. A thorough review
of the patient's medical and dental histories is also essential.
Infections Under the Teeth
Pockets of infection can exist under the teeth and be undetectable on
x-rays. This is particularly true for teeth that have had root canals, as it is
very difficult to eliminate all the bacteria and toxins from the roots during
this procedure. These infections may persist for years without the patient's
When infections are present, toxins can leak out and depress the
function of the immune system. leading to chronic degenerative diseases
throughout the body. Once the infection is cleared up, many of the
symptoms of dIsease will disappear.
Infection<, near the root of the toothcan also travel into the bone and
destroy it. according to Harold Ravins, D.D.S., of Los Angeles. "One way
to detect this is to stick a needle into the bone. If it is too soft, there is
!nfection," he says. "Another way is with neural therapy. Neural therapy
In~olves the injection of anesthetic around a suspected tooth. If this
r~heves the problems in other parts of the body, it means there is a
disturbance under the tooth," says Dr. Ravins.
. Some dentists use appJi~d kinesiology testing to identify these
hl~den infections. Applied kinesiology employs a simple strength
resistance test on a specifIc Indicator muscle that is related to the organ or
pa~t of the body that is being tested. If the muscle tests strong,
?1alOtaining its resistance, it indicates health. If it tests weak, it can mean
mfection or dysfunction.
See Acupuncture.
Energv Medicine.
Acupuncture points can also be used to
diagnose infection. Dr. Ravins noticed that
one of his patients showed sensitivity on his
liver acupuncture point. This led him to an
infection under the corresponding upper
Electroacupuncture biofeedback is
another method used to screen for hidden
dental infections. Philip Jenkins, D.D.S., of
Los Gatos, California, uses electroacupuncture
biofeedback testing to find
i ~fections, identify them, and then
Jetermine the appropriate homeopathic
remedies with which to treat them.
Root Canals as a Cause of Illness
The late Weston Price. D.D.S .. M.S .. F.A.CD.. former Director of
Research for the American Dental Association. made the astonishing
claim that if teeth that have had root canals are removed from patients
suffenng from kidney and heart disease. these diseases will resolve in
most cases. Moreover. implanting these teeth in animals results in the
animal'> developing the same kind of disease found in the person from
whom the tooth was taken. Dr. Price found that toxins seeping out of root
canals can cause systemic diseases of the heart. kidney, uterus. and
nervous and endocrine systems. I
Michael liff. 0.0.5, of Orlando, Florida. points out that research has
demonstrated that 100 percent of all root canals result in residual
Developed by Reinhold VolI, MD., of
Germany in the 1940s, electroacupuncture
biofeedback makes use of the acupuncture
meridian system to screen for infections and
dysfunctions in the body. Today it is employed
as a screening tool by alternative health
practitioners worldwide, including biological
dentists. As employed in biological dentistry, it
involves placing an electrode on an individual
tooth, then applying a small electrical current
and recording the response. Any deviation from
the normal reading indicates that there is an
infection or disturbance in the vicinity of that
particular tooth. 2 This deviation can also
indicate a similar unhealthy state in the organ
that shares the same meridian as the tooth. Any Relationship between Specific Teeth
determinations using electroacupuncture and Illness
biofeedback should always be confirmed by a In the 1950s, Reinhold VolL M.D., of
physician J," ..tI!JX.- Germany, discovered that each tooth in the
'~~~rai~~lJiM?~,,-.j. mouth relates to a specific acupuncture
meridian. Using his electroacupuncture
biofeedback technique. he found that if a tooth became infected or
diseased. the organ on the same meridian could also become unhealthy.
He found that the opposite held true as well, that dysfunction in a specific
organ could. lead to a problem in the corresponding tooth.
For example. Dr. Ravins has observed that people who hit their front
teeth too hard often have kidney disturbances. as there is a specific
relationship between the kidneys and the front teeth.
Ernesto Adler. M.D.. D.D.S .. of Spain. reports that many diseases
can also be caused by the wisdom teeth. which have a relationship to
almost all organ:. of the body. When wisdom teeth are impacted, Dr. Adler
points out. they press upon the nerves of the mandible (the large bone that
makes up the lower jaw). which can result in disturbances in other areas
of the body. includIng stammering. epilepsy. paIn in the joints. depression.
headaches. and heaI1 problems. He adds that the upper wisdom teeth can
cause calcIum defiCIency. resulting in muscle cramps. A/Il/0""'~ ~it'(lrO<l'urun('·
[,," h/okt'dhueJ" 15 used
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Lower teeth
KlUB GonadS KlUB
and onl\
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~~~c~~o~. a1r~~~~~c~;r~au~ot~~~:t~:~~r~ehc~ f~;~.7.··~.····~.'·:'>,··~~i:Pe~t~th ....
re:-" , . Prostate Gonads
Oxygen-lacking environment of a root canal II., - .
can cause the bacteria to undergo changes, r:; KlUB. KlUB
adds Dr. Huggins, producing potent toxins that ~.
can then leak out into the body. Nutrient ;"
materials are also able to seep into the root
canal through the porous channels in the tooth,
allowing this bacteria growth to flourish. ..
susceptibility to these types of reactions is
usually genetic, but stresses to the system
(abuse of alcohoL drugs, caffeine) can induce
them in normal individuals. Pregnancy and
influenza also increase susceptibility to
leakage of toxins from root canals, according
to Dr. Huggins.
He adds that when a tooth with a root f>
canal is removed, the periodontal ligament that HIS
attaches the tooth to the underlying bone
should also be removed, otherwise a pocket of
infection can remain. Full removal of the tooth LlLI
and ligament stimulates the old bone to
produce new bone for healing.
According to Dr, Ziff. however. there are
cases where root canal teeth should not be ~
pulled. It can be difficult to chew without "~
certain teeth intact, and problems can arise if
the teeth surrounding the extracted one
become misaligned. "The best approach is a
conservative one,'- says Dr. Ziff. "Try other measures first
remove the tooth as a last resort,"
Toxicity from Dental Restoration l\laterials
" Research has demonstrated
that 100 percent of
all root canals result in
residual i/~fecti()n due to the
impe/fect seal that alloH's
bacteria to penetrate, "
"Dental amalgam fillings can release mercury. tin. copper. silver. and
sometimes zinc into the body," says Dr. Arana. All of the"e metal-. ha\e
various degrees of toxicity and when placed as filling" In the teeth c:.tn
corrode or disa"sociate into metallic ions (char£ed atoms). The"e metallic
ions can then mi£rate from the tooth Into the r~ot of the tooth. the mouth.
~e bone. the co;nective tissues of the Jaw, and finally on
Into the nerves. From there they can travel into the central
nervous system, where the ions will reside, permanently
disrupting the body's normal functioning if nothing is done
to remove them.
. Other types of metal-based dental restorations can
Similarly release toxic metals into the body. Accordin£ to
David E. Eggleston. D.D.S .. of the Department of
Restorative Dentistrv at the Universitv of Southern
C.alifornia in Los Ang~les, a patient unde;going dental work developed
kidney disease due to nickel toxicity from the dental crowns that were
~ ..',:.;.~~:-.~
t:,...:~ ~~
'1,- >l,
being placed in the patient's mouth. As each successive crown was placed,
the disease intensified, verified by blood and urine tests, and physical
examination. Once the nickel crowns were removed, the patient gradually
became symptom free.3
Theron Randolph, M.D., of Batavia, Illinois, founder of the field of
environmental medicine, believes that both the medical and dental
professions have become too lax in dealing with the scope and potential
danger of toxic metals. "Although it is not clear whether dental amalgams
and other metals used in dental work are the primary or secondary cause
of many health problems," he says, "both doctors and dentists have to be
concerned with evaluating the clinical
...:~,;' implications of using toxic metals in the
human body." Dr. Randolph believes part of
the problem stems from American dental
schools ignoring the mounting evidence on
toxicity from dental restorations, especially
amalgams, despite clear documentation shown
in European studies.
In September. 1992, California governor
Pete Wilson requested that the State Board of
Dental Examiners develop a fact sheet on
dental materials to be distributed to dentists.
California is the first state to pass such
legislation. notes Joyal Taylor. D.D.S., of
Rancho Santa Fe. California. President of the
Environmental Dental Association. He hopes
this will pave the way for a total ban on the use
of mercury in dental restorations. adding that
two to three thousand dentists across the
. country are no"" calling for such a ban on
mercury dental amalgams.
1\lercury Dental Amalgams: While all
metals used for dental restoratIon can be toxic,
the most harmful are the mercury dental
amalgams (silver/men.:ury) used for fillings.
AccordIng to Dr Ta:- lor. "These so-called
'stlver fillings' actually contain 50 percent
mercury and only 25 percent silver."
Mercury has heen recognized as a poison
since the 1500s. and yet mercury amalgams
have been used In dentistry since the 1820s. They are still being used
toda:- even though the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared
s.:rap dental amalgam a hazardous waste in ! 988. Even the American
Dental Association. which has so far refused to ban amalgams, now
Instructs dentists to "know the potentIal hazards and symptoms of
mercury exposure such as the development of sensitivity and neuropathy,"
to use a no-touch technique for handling the amalgam. and to store it
under liquid. preferably glycerin or radiographic fixer solution, in
unbreakable. tightly sealed containers.~
D/(/I;ram (I( (/ heollh\
ALTERNATIVE THERjlPIES
-Richard D. Fischer, D.D.S.
(, I don't feel comfortable
using a substance designated
by the Environmental
Protection Agency to be a
waste disposal hazard. I can't
throw it in the trash, bury it
in the ground, or put it in a
landfill, but they say it 5 okay
to put it in people's mouths.
That doesn't make sense. ,,;
ISIUIiUtila.SII ....... -.-... ·.·n.
For some dentists, such as Richard D. Fischer, D.D.S., of Annandale,
Virginia, these measures are not enough. Since becoming aware of the
health risk amalgams pose, he has refused to work with them and has had
his own silver fillings removed. "I don't feel comfortable using a substance
designated by the EPA to be a waste disposal hazard," he says. "I
can't throw it in the trash, bury it in the ground, or put it in a landfill, but
they say it's okay to put it in people's mouths. That doesn't make sense."
According to the German Ministry of Health, "Amalgam is
considered a health risk from a medical viewpoint due to the release of
mercury vapor."5 Everyday activities such as chewing and brushing the
teeth have been shown to release mercury vapors from amalgams.6
Amalgams can also erode and corrode with time (ideally they should be
replaced after seven to ten years), adding to their toxic output.
Studies by the World Health Organization show that a single amalgam
can release three to seventeen micrograms of mercury per day,7 making
dental amalgam a major source of mercury exposure.8 A Danish study of a
random sample of one hundred men and one hundred women showed that
increased blood mercury levels were related to the presence of more than
four amalgam fillings in the teeth. 9 American, Swedish, and German
scientists examining cadavers have also found a clear relationship between
the number of fillings and the mercury count in the brain and kidneys.1O
In Germany the sale and manufacture of amalgams has been
prohibited since March 1992,11 and in Sweden, after a special commission
determined that amalgam was a toxic material, that country's Social
Welfare and Health Administration issued an advisory against its use in
the dental treatments of pregnant women. Furthermore,
Sweden has promised to ban amalgams entirely as soon as
a suitable replacement is found. l : Until then the
government pays 50 percent of the cost for removal of
amalgams. In the United States, however, little is being
done to deal with the effects of mercury amalgams because
most dentists still maintain that they are safe. They
continue to place mercury in their patients' mouths even
though the metal is more toxic than arsenic. IJ
The problem is so widespread that Dr. Taylor now
devotes his entire practice to the removal of amalgams.
'There have been no studies [in the United States] on the
safety of mercury in dental work. but when it leaks from
the teeth it can t:;use both physical and mental problems."
he states. 14 Dr. Arana adds that "numbness and tingling.
paralysis, tremors. and pain are just some of the symptoms of chronic
metal intoxication associated with the use of mercury dental amalgams."
Though the ideal replacement for mercury amalgams has not yet
been found. there are some less toxic alternatives that biological dentists
are working with. The best one so far is the so-called "composite
amalgam." which is a combination of metals that are less toxic than
mercury and slower to break down.
Dr. Huggins recommends that people who choose to have their
amalgams removed ask their dentists to use a rubber dam, a thin sheet of
" Although it is not clear
vvhether dental amalgams
and other metals used in
dental H,'ork are the
primary or secondary
cause of man.v health
problems, both doctors and
dentists have to be
concerned with evaluating
the clinical implications of
using toxic metals in the
human body. "
rubber that slips over the teeth. "Dams prevent over 95 percent of the
mixture of mercury and water produced by the drilling out of old fillings
from going down your throat," he says. "They also reduce the amount of
mercury that you might absorb from your cheeks and under your tongue."
Dr. Huggins also suggests that people consider early morning
appointments for amalgam removal, rather than later in the day, because
the mercury vapor from other patients' sessions can linger in the air for
hours and be absorbed by breathing. Some dentists use mercury vapor
filter systems, he points out, but those who do are rare.
Charles Gableman, M.D., of Encinitas, California, a leader in the
field of environmental medicine, always advises the removal of his
patients' amalgam fillings. According to Dr. Gableman. patients with
chronic fatigue syndrome, or with a lack of resistance to infections,
allergies, and thyroid dysfunction, all improve after their fillings are
properly removed. He believes it is possible that these patients have
suffered from basic allergies their entire lives, and that the mercury
toxicity from the fillings simply adds to the body's toxic load and "pushes
them over the edge," resulting in chronic medical
Extensive clinical evidence based on patient case
histories attests to the effects of mercury amalgam toxicity.
Dr. Taylor cites an example of a woman who came to him
suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. After having her
amalgam fillings removed. she not only had relief from her
arthritis. but her allergies abated to a large extent.
Another patient of Dr. Taylor was suffering from
numerous symptoms of environmental illness. She
exhibited multiple sclerosis-type symptoms, could only
tolerate four or five foods. and developed sensitivities to
chemicals. noise, light. and electromagnetic radiation. She
also had jaundice and had been diagnosed with candida
overgrowth. After having her amalgam fillings removed.
she found that she was able to eat many different foods
- Theron Randolph. MD
agaIn. enabling her to put back on the sixty pounds she
lost. Her sensitivities to noise. light. and electromagnetic radiation also
diminished and her candida and jaundice cleared up.
A woman in Palm Beach. Florida. for years endured fatigue.
mononucleosis (for which she was hospitalized at age sixteen). bladder
infections. and. eventually, Epstein-Barr virus. candida. food allergies.
and muscle spasms. Finally. her own investigation led her to consider the
possibility of mercury poisoning and consult with Dr. Huggins. He found
a tooth with a root canal that had been filled with dental amalgam. Once
the amalgam was removed. her symptoms abated.
Bio-incompatibility to Dental Restoration Materials
In the same way that some people have adverse reactions to
prescription drugs. some people also react negatively to specific dental
materials. A person can already have been sensitized to dental restoration
materials through previous exposure from the environment and foods.
% of Cure
or Cured
Bad temper
Blood pressure problems
Chest pains
Memo!") loss
Multiple sclerosis
Muscle tremor
Metallic taste
~ 22
f 45
[ 5
r 6
~lected Health Symptom Analysis of 1,569 Patients Who
Eliminated Mercury-Containing Dental FillingslS
TIl following represents a summary of1.569 patients in six different studies evaluating
h ehealth effects of replacing mercury-containing dental fillings with non-mercury
~/~ings. The data was derivedfrom thefol/owing sourc~s: 762 Patient Adverse Reaction
Reports submitted to the FDA by patients; and 807 patients reports from Sweden.
IDenmark. Canada. and the United States.
1% of
!Total Num~er
Reporting Symptom Reportmg
1 14
r 22
This bio-incompatibility. or incompatibility of the body. to the dental
material can lead to severe allergic reactions including food allergies, and
can contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis and
headaches, and can cause intractable pain syndrome. However. dentists
often don't test for sensitivity to dental restoration materials before
placing them in their patients' ~ouths.
The most common reactions are found to be produced by the
mercury amalgams used for fillings, and by the various metal components
that make them up. including mercury, copper. tin. zinc, and silver. 16
According to Dr. Arana, some of the symptoms caused specifically by
amalgam fillings are:
• Chronic fatigue syndrome and lack of energy
• Tendency to chronic inflammatory changes (including rheumatoid
arthritis. phlebitis. and fibromyalgia)
• Chronic neurologJCal illnesses, especially when numbness is one of
the leading symptoms
• Lowering of the pain threshold
• Disturbances of the Immune system
Patients can be screened for se~sitivity by a simple blood test, known
as the Clifford Materials Reactivity Testing, after its developer, Walter
15 Intestinal problems 231 192 83 I
8 Gum problems 129 121 94
34 Headaches 531 460 87
12 Insomnia 187 146 78
10 Irregular heartbeat 159 139 87
8 Irritability 132 119 90
I 17 Lack of concentration 270 216 80
6 Lack of energy 91 88 97
[ 1
'.-;,; .
Jess Clifford, M.S., R.M., of Colorado Springs, Colorado. In this test, the
patient's serum is exposed to the various components and by-products of
dental materials to see if they provoke an immune reaction (antibody
production). This makes it possible to determine
which materials the body will be sensitive to.
This information is then matched through a
computer database to various dental
products, enabling the dentist or physician to
select which products are safe for each_
patient. "By using this form of testing,"
Clifford says, "it is possible to check the
patient for an enormous number of dental
product suitabilities without having to
examine the finished dental product. One
only needs to know what the dental
restorative material contains and what it will
give off when it breaks down." Bioincompatible
and toxic materials already in
the mouth can then be replaced with those
materials that have proven to be nonreactive.
Applied kinesiology can also be used to test
all materials and anesthetics before using
them on patients.
After any dental material is removed,
Dr. Huggins always recommends a thorough
detoxification. According to Dr. Huggins,
simply removing the fillings is not enough
to rid the body of the toxic materials that
may have built up over time, and may
continue to cause allergic reactions. He
places his patients on a detoxification
regimen which can include nutritional
support. acupressure. and massage
treatments. Chelating: agents. such as EDTA
(ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and
vitamin C. can be used intravenously or in
tablet form as well. He cautions that any
detoxification therapy should only be
administered under the supervision of a
qualified health professional.
Due to its mineral content, the saliva in
the mouth is electrically conductive. As a
result. when saliva in a person's mouth
Interacts with a dental r~storation containing metal. a battery is created,
causing an effect known as electrogalvanism. "Electrogalvanism is
literally the electricity generated by a person's fillings." says Dr. Arana".
"The saliva acts as a conductant and the dissimilar metal fillings then try
Because mercury is a cumulative poison,
building up in the body with repeated
exposure,17 its effects can be devastating. It
can prevent nutrients from entering the cells,
and wastes from leaving. Mercury can bind to
the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of cells, as
well as to the cell membranes, distorting them
and interfering with normal cell functions. 18
When this happens, the immune system no
longer recognizes the cell as part of the body
and will attack it This can be the basis of many
autoimmune dIseases such as multiple sclerosis
and arthritis.
Mercury poisoning can also lead to
symptoms such as anxiety, depression,
confusion, irritability, insecurity, and the inability
to concentrate. It can cause kidney disease and
cardiac and respiratory dIsorders Multiple
sclerosis patients have been found to have
eight tImes higher levels of mercury In their
cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds the
braIn and spinal cord) as compared to
neurologically healthy palients 19
Mercury poisoning often goes undetected for
years because the symptoms presented do not
necessarily suggest the mercury as the inItiating
cause For example, It IS capable of producing
symptoms IndIstingUishable from those of
multiple scleroslS,20 and can mimiC the
symptoms of Lou Gehng's disease (a syndrome
marked by muscular weakness and atrophy due
to degeneration of motor neurons of the spinal
cord, medulla, and cortex)
Mercury can also produce allergiC reactIOns
With symptoms such as urtlcana (an Itcny rash),
eczema, headaches, asthma, and digestive
problems The Environmental ProtectJon Agency
srares that women chrOnically exposed ro
mercury vapor expenence Increased frequencies
of mensrrual disturbances and sponraneous
abortions. A high mortaltty rate has also
been observed among Infants born to women
who displayed symptoms of mercury pOlsonmg21
,. (" Electrogalvanism is
frequently the cause oflack
ofconcen.tration .and
memory, lnsomnla,
psychological problems,
tinnitus, vertigo, epilepsy,
hearing loss, and eye
problems, to name but a
few. "
-Edward Arana. D.D.S .. President of the
American Academy of Biological Dentistry
.' ,"
to neutralize each other to balance out the electrical charge. This has the
ffect of causing toxic material from the fillings to erode, like the
~erminals of a battery, and leak out into the body." Dr. Arana points out
that even two similar-looking amalgam fillings, if they were not placed on
the same day, are likely to be of different compositions and therefore
generate an electrical current between them. Even gold fillings or crowns
are usually put over old fillings of a different metal, so electrogalvanism
can even occur within a single tooth.
Since the teeth, the mouth, and the bone root all contain fluid, there
are a variety of combinations that can determine where this
electrical current flows. "It can go from a tooth to a
muscle, tooth to a joint, tooth to an organ, and even a tooth
to part of the brain, to the point where it can change the
permeability of the blood-brain barrier," Dr. Arana states.
"Electrogalvanism is frequently the cause of lack of
concentration and memory, insomnia, psychological
problems, tinnitus, vertigo, epilepsy, hearing loss, and eye
problems, to name but a few," says Dr. Arana. "Since high
dental currents lead to erosion of the restoration materials,
this problem rarely exists without coexisting problems of
heavy metal toxicity, which can act synergistically with
multiple chemical sensitivities to cause environmental
illness. "
Electrogalvanism can be identified by an instrument
known as an electrogal vanometer. which measures the electrical current
and voltage generated by the dental amalgam in a tooth. Applied
kinesiology can also be used to test for electrogalvanism between the
upper and lower teeth. If the indicator muscle becomes weak when the
patient gently touches the upper teeth to the lower teeth, then metal
fillings from the top are forming a circuit with metal fillings on the
bottom. Since high dental currents create neurological stress on the
organism. the muscle becomes weak as soon as one metal touches another.
Likewise. when the teeth are apart. and the Circuit is broken. the indicator
muscle will become strong again.
"We suspect that the reason why many dental splints. even bad ones.
often improve a patient's TMJ dysfunction problem is that these splints
~e made out of plastic and work like a circuit-breaker whenever they are
m place." notes Dr. Arana. "The TMJ dysfunction problems that improve
~ really not TMJ dysfunction problems. but problems created by the
high dental currents."
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
TMJ dysfunction is caused by the mal alignment of the teeth. jaws.
~d r:nuscles. The symptoms of TMJ dysfunction vary. and include pain.
chckmg. or grating sounds when the mouth opens. and difficulty opening
the mouth very wide.
TMJ dysfunction can occur for three reasons. First. the patient loses
~th. throug~ decay or trauma. or looses height of some teeth through
ruxlsm (gnndIng) or age. Second. there are iatrogenic (treatment-
Sa Chiropractic,
CranIOsacral Therapy.
[cmp( ITfllllllndllJ/l/ar
; .
induced) problems such as dental restorations that make the teeth either
too high or too low. The third cause can be developmental problems. "In
the last two hundred years, developmental abnormalities of the upper
and/or lower jaw have become very common. This has been shown to be
directly linked to the intake of processed foods, especially sugar and
flour," says Dr. Price.Z2
Bec~use chewing is the primary mechanism necessary for supplying
nutrients to the body, if the jaws or teeth are out of alignment, the entire
cranium will distort in order to
...-..; ',-'~..:-..~ :-.,,'t.--'--.-.~ .... "'_".~" '._, chew properly. T.he structural
~:;;:~ • ~::,;',""'':-1':.~,,<.'.
compensations necessary for this
readjustment can be responsible
for such varied symptoms as
depression, loss of concentration,
insomnia, headaches, neck pain,
and low back pain-all caused by
TMJ dysfunction.
TMJ dysfunction is diagnosed
by observation of symmetry
of facial features. midline shift of
teeth. asymmetric wear of dental
surfaces, asymmetry of jaw movement.
tenderness over joints, and
tenderness in associated muscles.
It can also be diagnosed by x-rays,
arthrograms (joint x-rays), MRI
(magnetic resonance imaging),
computerized motion studies,
applied kinesiology testing. and
electroacupuncture biofeedback.
Dr. Ra\lns believes balancing
the jaW is essential to
rclievIng TMJ dysfunction. Lsing
computcflzed technology he can
measure movements of the Jaw and determIne where Irregularities lie < By
USIng orthopediC appliances (similar to braces) \~ om In the mouth at night,
he can real1~n the jaW and relieve the symptom'>. Other dentists also use
craniosacral therap~ or cold laser therap~ to help correct TMJ syndrome.
Biological Treatment of Dental Problems
Blol()~lcal dentists treat dental problems In a variety of ways. They
emphaSize the conservation of all healthy tooth matenal and employ the
latest techniques of bioenergetic medicine. Including neural therapy. oral
acupuncture. cold laser therapy. complex homeopathy. mouth balancing. .
and nutntion.
Neural Therapy
According to neural therapy. the body is charged with electricity or
biolo~lcal energy. This energy flows throughout the body. with every cell
See Neural Therapy.
BIOLOGICAL DENTISTRY -'rf
ssessino its own specified frequency range. As long as this energy flow
pounimp;ded and stays within its normal range, the body will remain
~ealthY. However, if this balance breaks down, disrupt.ions in the t~e
normal function of cells can occur, eventually leadIng to chronIc
disorders. ., . . ., .
When injury, mflammatIon, or mfectlOn IS present In the mouth,
there is usually a corresponding blockage in the body's normal energy
flow. "Neural therapy allows the dentist to confirm if the problem in the
tooth is causing illness elsewhere in the body," says Dr. Arana. The
problem may lie in the tooth itself. or in a distant organ on the same
energy meridian as the tooth.
Injection of a local anesthetic such as procaine around the tooth to
remove the energy blockage will often resolve the problem. Dr. Adler
cites the example of a sports instructor suffering from "tennis elbow."
When Dr. Adler injected the man's two upper right premolars with
procaine, the instructor received immediate relief from his pain.
Dr. Arana conservatively estimates that one hundred dentists in the
United States currently practice neural therapy. However. he adds, there
are over four thousand dentists worldwide practicing neural therapy,
including two to three thousand in Germany where it was developed.
Oral Acupuncture
Oral acupuncture, according to Jochen Gleditsch, MD., D.D.S., of
Munich. Germany. has been taught to dentists since 1976. and its use is
expanding rapidly. It involves the injection of either saline water. weak
local anesthetics. or sterile complex homeopathics into specific
acupuncture points of the oral mucous membrane. It can also be combined
with neural therapy.
Both Dr. Arana and Dr. Ravins use oral acupuncture to relieve pain
during dental procedures with great success. Some dentists also use it to
relax patients before any dental procedure. Toothache. tooth sensitivities,
jaw pain, gingivitis. and other local problems often respond to oral
Dr. Gleditsch discovered that there are specific oral acupuncture
points related to each tooth. "The total of these oral acupuncture points
forms a complete mlcrosystem:' he explains. "with a clear reference to
the system of acupuncture meridians." When a particular acupuncture
meridian is under stress. the corresponding oral acupuncture point(s)
become very sensltiye to localized pressure. This phenomenon can be
used for both dIagnostic and treatment purposes. according to Dr.
~Iedi.tsch. He commonly uses acupoints in the mouth to treat neuralgia.
SInus.His. pain in distant parts of the body. acute. chronic. and allergic
conditIons. and digestive disorders. The oral acupuncture points in the
~tromolar area (the area behind the last molar in the upper and bottom
Jaw) are most valuable in treating shoulder and elbow complaints, pain
and restricted movement of the neck. low back pain. and TMJ. Since
needle acupuncture is impractical within the oral cavity due to the danger
~f cho.kIng. Dr. Gleditsch uses injections of saline or local anesthetic into
the POints. Laser stimulation can also be used.
See Light Therapy.
Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy is an alternative form of acupuncture that is
especially useful for treating patients who object to the use of needles.
The "cold laser" gets its name from the fact that its power output and the
light spectrum it uses are incapable of causing any thennal damage to the
body's tissues. This therapy kills bacteria, aids in wound healing, reduces
inflammation, and helps to rebalance the flow of energy in the body's
meridian system. It has also been used to treat TMJ dysfunction13 and to
promote healing and reduce muscle spasm after removal of impacted
wisdom teeth, according to Dr. Ravins.
Homeopathy in Biological Dentistry
According to Dr. Fischer, "Homeopathic first aid remedies can help
alleviate the pain or discomfort of dental emergencies, at least
temporarily, until proper dental care can be received. They are not
intended to replace regular dental care, but rather to serve as a safe and
effective complement."
Abscesses can be treated with homeopathic dilutions of Belladonna.
Hepar sulph .. Silicea. Myristica. and Calendula. Gelsemium. Aconite,
Coffea cruda, and Chamomilla can be used to allay the apprehension of a
visit to the dentist. Postsurgical bleeding is treated with Phosphorous, and
if accompanied by bruising and soreness, with Arnica. Chamomilla is good
for a dry socket after an extraction. A toothache can be treated with
Belladonna. Magnesium phos .. Coffea cruda. or Chamomilla.
Mouth Balancing
Dr. Ravins specializes in "balancing" the mouth to improve a wide
range of health problems, including TMJ dysfunction. He believes that
structural defonnities of the skull influence the entire body. "With the new
computerized technology, I can diagnose muscle dysfunction and pick up
vibrations from the jaw and movement of the mandible." he says. Often
the misalignment has been caused by a prior accident. By analyzing this
data and making special orthopedic braces to be worn in the mouth, Dr.
Ravins can realign the jaw and remove pain and other symptoms such as
headaches. shoulder pain, and back problems.
Many patients who come to Dr. Ravins complain of eye problems
such as blurred vision (often occurring after eatmg). and pressure and pain
behind the eyes. Since the bones around the eyes are close to those of the
jaw, a misaligned jaw can easily put pressure on them, resulting in
pressure on the eyes themselves. Stress in the mouth can also affect the
nerves and blood supply to the eyes. and infections in the mouth can cause
muscle spasms which will affect the eyes. According to Dr. Ravins. once
any misalignments in the mouth are corrected with orthopedic braces, the
eye problems usually dissipate. The problems often return though. when
the appliances are removed. While eye problems should always be
checked by an eye doctor first, if the problem is not uncovered by an eye
examination. a biological dentist may be able to help.
THE POliTICS OF DENTISTRY
Although many new techniques of biological
dentistry are available, only two to three
thousand dentists across the United States are
using them in practice. This is due to a
deliberate effort by the American Dental
Association (ADA) to suppress such practices,
even to the point of rescinding the licenses of
practitioners using them. Electroacupuncture
biofeedback testing by dentists is not allowed in
some states, and dentists may lose their license
for using it, despite its proven effectiveness for
screening hidden infections under teeth. For
this reason most dentists are forced to use other
methods for detecting hidden infections and
other dental problems. Dental acupuncture is
also banned in some states.
In 1987, the ADA wrote a provision into their
code to declare the removal of clinically
serviceable mercury amalgams from patients'
teeth to be unethical, according to Michael Ziff,
D.D.S., of Orlando, Florida. Any dentist doing so
is in violation of the code, and the ADA is
assisting state boards in prosecuting these
dentists, despite all the evidence of the toxicity
of mercury
The financial and legal implications of an
admission by the ADA that mercury IS tOXIC and
harmful to health may be a possible motive
behind this move If the ADA was to admit that
mercury amalgams are tOXIC health hazards,
insurance companies or the government would
possibly have to toot the bill for the removal of
mercury amalgams from practically the entire
populatIOn of the United States
Despite this ominous situatIOn, the growing
number of research studies on biological dental
techniques the Information coming out of
Europe and Canada on mercury tOXIClty,24 and
increasing publiC awareness of some of the
dangers of tradllional dental practice are
combining to burld support for the small band of
dentists nSktng their Itvellhood to practice safe
dentistry tn the United States
Dr. Huggins, like many other biological
dentists, makes nutritional supplementation part
of his overall protocol for dealing with dental
conditions, especially for the patient recovering
from mercury amalgam toxicity. '"There is a
standard regimen we use to help correct basic
chemistry problems," he says. '"From there, we
might use additional supplementation based on
wh.a t the pat ie nt's chem i s try die tat e s ."
According to Dr. Huggins, the basic supplementation
program aids in the excretion of
mercury from the cells, prevents the exacerbation
of further symptoms, and provides the
patient with a nutrient base for rebuilding
damaged tissues.
Among the nutrients Dr. Huggins uses are
magnesium, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E,
and folic acid, along with digestive enzymes.
He cautions, however, that the nutrients need to
be used in specific ratios, and that
supplementation done without proper
consultation can actually create further
imbalances in the patient's system.
A proper diet is also important for patients
suffering from mercury toxicity. Dr. Huggins
recommends the avoidance of cigarettes, sugar.
alcohoL caffeine, chocolate, soft drinks, refined
carbohydrates, milk. cheese, margarine, fish,
and excess liquids with meals.
The Future of Biological
Mercury and other dental materials
Contribute to much of the degenerative diseases
for which patients seek medical help today.
Traditional dentistrY and medicine have not vet
recognized thIs gr~wing danger. but bIOlogical
dentistry is confronting it head-on. Using all the
k~owledge and skills of conventional dental medicine along with the
dIsCIplInes of alternative, holistic health therapies, biological dentists are
stnVIng to provide individuals with biocompatible, aesthetic, comfortable.
functIonal, and enduring dental and prosthetic replacements. While much
research has alreadv been done on mercury toxicity from dental
amalgams, and on the creation of safe. nontoxic den'tal restoration
~~erial alternatives. much more still needs to be done. especially in the
nned States. Dr. Randolph believes that medicine and dentistry must
, .
Fluoride is commonplace today in
toothpastes, mouthwashes, and drinking
water. In the United States alone, over
121 million people are now drinking
artificially fluoridated water. Many experts
would argue that it poses a serious health
risk. Fluoride is a known poison and has
been classified as very toxic to extremely
toxic by the National Library of
Medicine's computenzed data service on
toxic substances. Numerous studies have
demonstrated that fluorides are largely
retained in the body and build up
poisonous concentrations there. 25
Drs. R. N. Mukherjee and F. H. Sobels
of the University of Leiden in Holland
found that fluoride increases the
frequency of genetic damage in sperm
cells of laboratory amma/s exposed to xrays
and inhibits the repair of DNA.26
Fluoride was first introduced into the
public water systems In the United States
in 1945 through an expenment, which
grew out of research done by H. Trendley
Dean, DOS. (the "father of fluoridation")
for the Public Health Services. Or. Dean
was trying to determine the reason some
people had higher than normal levels of
staining of their teem His finding cited
fluonde as the cause of the stamlng. but
also credited fluonde as the reason these
same people had fewer cavltles27
In 1950. the PubliC Health System
recommended uSing artdlclal fluondatlon
In the publiC water systems to fight tooth
decay. Since the time fluoride entered the
water system in the United States, there
have been many health-related problems
while at the same time, no statistically
significant reduction in tooth decay. Or.
Dean himself has twice been forced to
admit in court that· his original statistics
favoring fluoridation were in valid. 28 .
Christa Danielson, MO., found an
increased risk of hip fracture in men and
women over age Sixty-five who had been
exposed to fluoride in their drinking water
for about twenty years. At least 10
percent of fluoride in adults is deposited
in bones. and studies have shown a
positive correlation between higher
fluoride intake and decreased bone mass
and strength. 29
In 1975. John Yiamouyiannis, MO..
and Dean Burk. MO., compared ten
large US. cities that fluoridated their
water with ten cities that did not. They
discovered a link between fluoride and a
10 percent increase in cancer deaths
over a thirteen to seventeen-year period.
As a result of these studies. tests were
ordered by Congress that confirmed
fluonde added to water causes cancer in
laboratory anima's 30
In spite of all the research and finding.
fluoride is still commonplace In the United
States today. It has. however. been
banned in Austna. Denmark, France.
Greece. Italy. Luxembourg. the Netherlands.
Norway. and Spain
come tog\?thcr to solve the mercury problem and make dentistry a healthenhanCing
\?ndea\or that elIminates. instead of promotes. disease. "In the
futUf\?:' say" Dr. Ziff. "1 foresee bonding materials hecoming much more
blocompallhlc. along with new techniques being developed that will
addres<, the problems of modern dentistry:'
"The emphasis must be more in the way of prevention," says Dr.
Arana. "So when people in the anti-amalgam movement say we're going
to hJ\e to n:tfaln the dentists, they're right. but it can be done. I think the
matenal" hetng used now are very close to being able to fix the teeth so
the: 're \\ hlte and beautiful without any danger uf toxicity problems:'
To\ Ic-free, biological dental treatment has the possibility of an
overall "tres" reduction so great that patients could lose all or many of
their distressing chronic disease symptoms. "The next great advancement
In mediCine will come from the dentists," says Dr. Arana. "Biological
dentistry will. out of necessity, become the dental medicine of the twentyflr"
t century:'
Where to Find Help
Many organizations and dentists are involved in promoting
the practice of biological dentistry. Contact an organization
below for more information.
- (,"" ,
American Academy of Biological
P.O. Box 856
Carmel Valley, California 93924
(408) 659-5385
(408) 659-2417 (Fax)
The pl/rpose ofthe AABD is to promote
biological denralmed[clIle. lI'hlCh uses
nonlOxic diagnostic and therapeutIc
lIpproaches in the field of clinical
dentistry. They publIsh a ql/arterlv
journal. Focus. and hold regular seminars
on biological diagnosis and Iherapy.
International Academy of Oral
Medicine and Toxicology
P.O. Box 608531
Orlando, Florida 32860-8531
A professional organi::.atlon of dentists,
physicians. and research scientists
dedicated to scientifically il1\'estigaring the
bio-compatibility oflIlatenals used in
dentistry. Members are Il'Orldllide,
Foundation for Toxic Free
P.O. Box 608010
Orlando, Florida 32860-80 I0
A nonprofit group II hose maIn goal is to
eduuJ/e and refer the general pl/bllc [()
biological denllslS all m'er the \,orld, Send
a sdj-{/(ldressed, sW/I1ped cn\'clopc for
fifty·tll'o (CIll,1 and the\' \\ [II send \()U
infomWllon and referra/.l '
IIIUI..U6IG811 Ut;N"."• .,,,.,,,, I
The EDA is an organi::.ation ofalternatire
dentists lI'ho are concerned about the
potential toxic effects of rarious dental
procedures and materials, Member
dentists beliel'e that the most important
en\'ironment of all is the human bod\' and
that some dentistrY can cause harmful side
effects, The EDA prm'ides a referral
sen'ice for patients seeking alternatil'e
dentists in their area, It also offers books
and products on alrernati,'e dentistry for
the public, For a free packet of
information call the EDA 's lOlIfree
The Safe Water Coalition
West 5615 Lyons Court
Spokane, Washington 99208
(509) 328-6704
The pl/rpose of this organi::.ation is to
educate legislawrs and the public to Ihe
ha::.ards offluoridatIOn,
725-9 Tramway Lane Northeast
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87122
(505) 291-8239
(505)0294-3339 (Fax)
DA.MS (Dental Amalgam S\'ndrome) IS a
support and educallonal orgalll::.allon,
deSigned to help Ihose ,wffenng from
mercurY amalgam lox[oty, to ralSc publiC
allareness nf thc I'rohlem, and 10 I'ro\'/dc
dOCU/l1CnIall(1II of the condll/(m }llr tht'
Environmental Dental
9974 Scripps Ranch Boulevard
Suite 36
San Diego. California 92131
(800) 388-8124/(619) 586-1208
A very accessible book that explains and
documents the facts about mercury and
lead and .....hy mercury fillings may
increase the risks of infertility and birth
It's All in Your Head. Huggins,
Hal, D.D.S. Colorado Springs. CO:
Life Science Press, 1986.
Dr. Huggins analv:es the diseases and
symptoms associated .....ith mercury
poisoning, as .....ell as providing
diagnostics and a nutritional guide to
Silver Dental Fillings- The Toxic
Time B(I""'. ZIfl. Sam. Santa Fe.
~\1: Au. .1 Pre"". 1986.
The Missing Link. Ziff. Sam and
!\1ichael. Orlando. FL: Bio-Probe
Inc .. 1992.
A lulll rl'lerenl'ed hook that scientifically
el!J!ore.1 'rlrl' re!ulIIl/lshlP of mercun lIith
heart dlll'a,le
TIl/I h(l(l~ (,",'rI r;/t,lrlltor\, ofrhl'
1111'1'< I/n ("nlr," ,'rI\ /Iom Ill!!.) {(I rhe
Mercury Poisoning from Dental
Amalgam-A Hazard to Human
Brain. Stortebecker. Patrick. M.D.,
Ph.D. Orlando. FL: Bio-Probe Inc.,
Dr Stortehecker descrihes his principle of
rhe shortest pathllO\ Ilith scientijic
el'ldence thar mercun' \'Clpor released from
jillmgs can rr(ll'e! directlY to the brain.
• Recommended Reading
The Complete Guide to Mercury
Toxicity from Dental Fillings.
Taylor. Joyal. San Diego. CA:
Scripps Publishing Co., 1988.
A step-by-step guide to help people
emiL/ate themsell'es for mercury
poisoning. Also included are anecdotes
and nutritional infonnation as well as
alternati\'es to mercur.. fillings.
Fluoride, The Aging Factor.
Yiamouyiannis. John. Ph.D.
Delaware. OH: Health Action
Press. 1986.
Dentistry without Mercury. Ziff,
Sam and Michael. Orlando, FL:
Bio-Probe Inc .. 1993.
An elght\-page book of the most recent
sciennfic research and information on
mercury toxiC/t\.
Dental Mercury Detox. Ziff. Sam
and Michael. Orlando, FL: BioProbe
Inc., 1993.
A hook to help reduce mercury toxicity in
your body.
Infertility and Birth Defects-Is
Mercuryfrom Siher Dental
Fillings a Hidden Cause? Ziff.
Sam and \-1ichael. Orlando. FL:
BIO-Prohe Inc .. IY87.
A lIell-doClunenteJ hook that IIlI'e.wgates
the Je~t'lleratlle ql/allllel ofjlUOrtJt·. It
dISCUSH'.1 thl' sC/enn/i(. InduSlrw!.
pO/llIca!. and moral aspeal ofjluortdl'
expoll/ re
I The Bod, v, or. Kno,,- kdg.Base IS an abslTJC1ed
collection of the v.orld literature on mass.,.:
compiled b, Richard Van Wh}. avadable from ~
Am~n(an .\1J.\,age Therapy ASSOCiation
:: Y,He". J A Pin I/OCJn 's GUide to Tht>rafHMnc
.\-I(J~w~/' CanJda \ta\"age Theraplst"~ As.s.oc~
of Bn"," Columhla. I99(J
3 The Budy,,-ork Knov,ledgeBase IS an abstDCll:d
collectIon of the \I,ourld IlterafUre on ma!\ou,.:
complied h\ Rlch.lrd \'an Wh,. avaIlable from lI>e
Amt:n<:an \1a~\Jge Ther::J.p~ ASSOCiation
~ Queoec Tavk Force on SpInal DlSorden.
··S(lenllfll.: Approach ro the Assessmenl 'Dd
.\1.lnag.ment of Act" liS ·Related Spinal DI<oonierL
A \lono~raph for CllntClans Repen of the Quteb<c
Ta~~ Force on Splnai Disorder)." Spine l~ no, 7
Suppl ISep. 19H"1 51·<9 .
, Beard. G liwrd> M,lISaee Phliadelphla \I. B
S.lun,le" Compan' [4~" Repnnt 3d ed 1981.
h Bafj\l~ W Tnt' Alr'tandt'"r Technlqut' ~C' ...
Yor' A[.red A Knopt. 19'.1 _
.. Jonc:,. F P "Hod ... ,A\\arene\' In Action. I.
~1urpn... \1 Tftt' fUfl~rf' 01 flit' Bo<lY Los An~b:
Jerenn P Tan.:hc-r. In( 1i.N~
f'i, Felden~rJl\, .\1-\l\orf'f'(IS tnrou/ln .-\to'r"""'·
;-';e,,- York Harper", Ro,,- 19"2 Repnn' 1977.
910ld _ ...
10 Felt" R Ida Rol( Talk< About Rol/ln, Q
Ph\ "cal Rtall!' Bvu[der. CO Ro[f In'lIlute. 1m.
1I Rol f. I P Strutrural Intt'l(raf/{m Gra"J~" All
(Jnetp(ortd Fw:ror ,n IJ Mort Hu ml1ft LJt i
Human Ii"ng! Boulder. CO Rolf In'tltul~
'ev, ed San Franu-,co. CA Guild for S
Inlc~r~ll~on. I%~. ....
12 Rol. 1 Roiling The In"KralIon of~·
Sirucrurtl .'e,,- York Harper and Rov,. 19 6
11 Connollv. L "Ida Rolf" Human BeM\lOT 5
IMav 19'71 17·1.1
14 Cottingham. J . Porge,. S: and Rlchmond~~
"ShIft, In Pelv/( InclInation An~le Soft
Parasympathetic Tone Produced oy Rollin, 9
T",ue Manlpulatllln .. PhY'S/cai Therap.'· 68 -
ISep.19HHI 1.104-[.170 - f,/,./ial
15 Franklin , --MY' Favonte Bodywork.
Self-Care 2~ Sprtng', 19H4 53
ation. La \lesa. CA: The Pnce-PO!tinger N....''''Foundation.
Inc .. 1945. 1970. -23
Wang. K ..A Report of 22 Cases of T
poromandibular JOtOt Dysfuncllon Svnd Treated
WIth Acupuncture and Laser Rod' ~
Journal of TraditIOnal Chinese MediCi,., 1~2
(Jun.I992LlI6-118. 80.
24 GrandJean. P. M.D. --Reference Intervals ..
Trace EI.ements In Blood: S,gnlflCance of Itiol
Factors. Scandlnal'lan Journal of ClmieoJ _
Laborator... InI·tStlgatlOn 2 (Jun. 19921: ~21.3J1
Sch.ele. R.; et aL"Studles on the MercurvC_
to BraIn and KIdney Related to t'umber ....
CondItIon of Amalgam FtiIIOgs.'· InstltutiOll vi
Occupational and SOCIal \redlClne. Un/venn,
Erlangen. ;-,;umberg. West GermanY. 1984
Boyd. :'<. D: et al. "\1ercul} from Dental 'S,,-,
Tooth. F.lllngs ImpalfS Sheep Kldnev Fun~.
Amencan Ph,slOlvglca/ SOClet ... 261 (19qlj.
25 Yiamou}lannl\. J A. Fluoride-The ",,,ill'
FaClor. 2d ed. Delaware. OH. Health Act.OlI Pra&.
26 Mukheqee. R.;-';: and Sobels. F. H.·"The Etrca
of Sodium Fluollde and Iodoacetamlde oa
\1utatlon Induction by X-IrradiatIOn In MltW'C
SpermatozOic of Drosophila." Mutation Re,earrit 6
no.2 I 1905I: 217-225
27 Black. D Fluorldallon, Ho~' Wise Is It.'
Spnngvdle. L.,. Tapestry Press. 1990. 1.
28 Kopf. C "Doctor Who Advocated F1uon~
;-';ow Calls It . A Fraud ...· The Forum Ht,.It.
Freedom Se,,! II no 6 (JuliAug. 1992): 28.
29 DanIelson. C. et al. --H,p Fractures and A....
ndallon In L'tah's Elderlv Population." Joul7lQ/ af
(he American Jledlcal .4ssoclf.JtlOn 268 no. 6 (A....
19921 746-748
30 Y"mou,,,nnlS. J A. and Burk. D.
"FluortdatlOn and Cancer Age-Dependence of
Canc" \lortallt' Related '0 ArtifiCIal Flu~
ndatlon." Fluoride' 10 no .1119771. 101-123.
SenSItization." .-\merlcan Journal of Nephrologv 5
(1985): 395-397.
4 "Dental :I<1ercury Hyg.ene: Summary of
Recommendations in 1990." Journal of the American
Dental ASSOCIatIOn 122 IAug. 1991 I: 112.
5 "Dental Amalgam: A SCIentific Rev.ew and
Recommended Public Health ServICe Strategy for
Research. Education and Regulallon.'· Final Repon
of the Subcommittee on RISk Management of the
Commmee to Coordinate Envi/onmental Health
and Related Programs. Public Health Service (Jan.
6 "Dental Mercury HygIene: Summary of
Recommendations In 1990." Journal of the American
Dental AsSOCIatIOn 122 (Aug. 1991): 112.
7 Mel.1l0. W "How Safe IS \lercurv In DentlSlIV:-The
WashinglOn POS( Weeki.' Jour,u,I of MedIcine.
SCienet and SOCler..ISep. 1991 j: 4.
8 World Health Organization. Enl'ironmental
Health Cnterta for Inorganic Mercury 118.
Geneva: World Health Organization. 1991.
9 Grand)ean. P.. ~1.D. et al "Referen" Intervals
for Trace Elements In Blood: SIgnificance of RISk
FaclOrs." Scandlnal'wn Journal vf Clmlcal and
LabvralOrv ImtS/lgatlOn 2 (Jun. 1992 J: 321-337.
10 SchIele. R . et al "Stud Ie, on the MercurY
Content ,n Brain and Kidnev Related to ;-';umt>er
and ConditIOn of Amalgam Fillings." Institution of
Occupational and SOCIal \led"IOe. Cnlverst!}
Erlangen. ;-';umberg. West Germany. \larch 12.
I [ "Dental Amal.am A SCIentific ReVIew and
Recommended Public Health Ser.lCe Strategy for
Research. EducatIOn and Regulation." Final Repon
of the SubcommIttee on RISk \lana.ement of the
Committee 10 Coordinate EnVironmental Health
and Related Pro.rams Public Health ServIce. (Jan.
1993, -
[2 "Soualvt\fel,en 1Sv,edlSh SOCIal Welfare and
Health Admln"tratlOn, Stops Amalgam Lse"
S"n,kuDaKbluiletl\lay.I9R71 p.1
I ~ Agenc:- for TO'(lc Sub,rances and Dl~ease
Re21s1r. 1993 Dl\I~IOn of TO.'(I\.:olog\ Chan
1~"Ta'[or. J Tne Compltle GlllJe IV Jlercurv
TO.([("lr, from DenIul Ftl1mxs, San DIego. Scnpps
Pu~["hlnc. 1988
15 Z,ff 5 "Con,olldated S,mptom Analyvl\ of
1569 Pallent\ .. BUJ·Prubt I\eh I/erter Y no 2 l \olar.
16 Hugglnv. H A It, All In rour Htad ~th ed
Col"rado Springs. CO LIte SCience Pre". 199(1.
I' Hahn. L J. e' al "Denta; 'StI'er' Tooth Ftll·
Ing\ A Sourcl:' of \1ercur> E.'(po'urc Re\-eaJed b~
Vtho!c·B(}(h ImJ,£e 5(an anJ Tissue Anahsl,)"
Fuuf, Joum~l .1, 19~QI ~l'>-l1·2(,..+6 ,
Hahn. L J et al "\l.hole·Bod~ ImagIng of the
Dl"drlhutlon (If \lercur\- Relea,ed from D~ntal
Fllllng\ Into \tonke:- TI\\ue\ .. FQ5eh Journal ..l
,194()l J:~6·~2N'
IH \' ,m' \1 J Ta'ahavhl Y and Lo"chelder. F
L "\lJfern.il·rclJ.i DI\lrlbullnn of \1ercun
Relt:a\ed lrom Oenta! Ama!~..lm Fdllnc\
"'.mt'f'I( un Pin ~/I,i/l~lt 1.1.1 SOt It'f'\ 25;'<' (llNUl RY."".
19 Grand,e.1n P \10 'Reference fnrcnah for
Trace Element, In 81000 SIl!nlfJ(.1n(C or Rl\k.
F.1"':lOr, .. 5t f,Jn£1I"() I lun jiJurn~iJi of CI,fl/(ui and
LJrJorU{(Jr'i Inltl!/l'Uf/on ~ dun 19421 J21·JJ'7
S(hlele. R el aJ ")[Udle" on {he \1ercur.- Coment
In Brain and "Idne\- Relaled to ~umbcf and
Cllnddl\ln of Amalgam FLllln~\ .. Im,tnullon of
O(CUpalional and Soual \1edlclne L:nlverSll\
Erlan.en 'umb<:rg. \I.e\! German' 1984 .
Vlm\-. \1 J e! aJ "GlomerulJf Fdlratlon 1mpalnnenl
b:- \1ercuf'- trom Dental .Sliver" Fdhng'i
In Sheep" Tht P""lUlo~ISl33IAug.1990'11 A 94
Bmd , D. e' al "\krcurv from Den.al 'Stlver'
T"'llh Ftllln" Impa", She~p K,dn" FunctIOn."
Amt'rtci.Jn P;n ilUlo'(lcal Socrel\ 261 (19Y II
.20 International Labour Offl((: Encvc/o{'t'dla of
Occu{'CJ//{)f'UJi Ht'ul!n CJruJ SiJ(t'f'. 2d ed, ~cw yon..
McGra"-·Hdl. 1972
21 EPA \1ercurv HeJllh Effecl' Lpdate Health
I\\u~ A'i\eS,mc-nl Fln;,ll Report EPA6008
Sol O[9F IAu~. 19K~1 Lnlted Slates En·
"'lwnmcnlal Prol~cllon A~enC\. Office of Health
and En\ lronmenwl A\\(,"'\~lenl'
2~ Pnce. W A \urrllwn and Ph\{{c(J/ {)e,<ener-
Biofeedback Training
[ Fahnon. S L "Auto.enlC Biofeedback Treatment
for \1J1zrame" In Rrj;arch und ClJmcai StudIes In
Heada;'"e ed \1 E Granger 1978. 5. ~7.71
2 Peper. E and T,bbettv. V --Flfteen·.\lonth
Follo,,- ·up "- IIh A"hmatlc, Ltdillng E\lG
Ince-nll\~ In"'plromcter Feedbac~ .. B/(d~~dht.Jc" und
St'I!·Rt"~ulull(Jn 17 .'-'0 211un.I99~1 I·O-l~1
, Fahnon. S L "H'penen\lon and Blofeedbac'"
Pn""t..Jr\ Cart" Cilnld 1ft Offici' PrUCfler 3 (Scp.
19Q1, ;,A'·oR2
.. Deputy Sur••on G.nera[ Fa}. G Abddlah. a,
qU'JleJ In \ll1ler. , E "RX BlOleedbac'" p".
(""I,,~" Tuda\ 19 '02 IFeb. 19851 5~·59
< D,,-orkln B el al "B.haYloral \lethod for the
Tre..llmc:nr of Idlnpathl\,; SCO[tO'lI ..... Pr(1-< t't'Jlnf({ or
U7f '\liflilnui At f.ulrm\ of SClener of thi' L nltrd
Stu,'n ('/ -\mt'f"t(t, ~C IApr. 19H51 2.Jl.}1·2~q-h
D<:,pu[~ Sur~eon Gener:ll Fa~e G Abdellah a'"
quPfeJ In 'liller ..' E "R~ Blofeedt'la-.:~"
P~'>(n,'I(J~\ T,1(Ju\ Iq~(1 2lFeb. 14X)1 5~-~Q
- l nn.lf' Inlt-'ntlnence GUideline:' Pane! ,oL nnar.
Ir.~ ,In:lnen.:e In Adull\ Cllnli.:al Pra.:tll.:e
(julJeltne AHCPR Pub '0 92~J.1K R,,<:bllie.
\ID Al:en,,:\ Illf Health Cart' PolK'" and Re....earch
Pu~lk He.litn S", ICe C S Department of Health
clOd Human Ser.lces. \ta.r.19Q2
K .... er~ach \1 R M D Th/Td Lint Mtd,Clnt·
,"fod"rrt Tr~a[mt'f'tI {nr Ptrsuunt S\mpfOmJ SC\l,
Y,'rk Arkana Paperbacks Inb Reprtnt Lo,
An~el<, ThIrd Lme Pre". I n~
<.; :'\o()m\, P, and Pont:L G W,,\ Mt --. HUrntHlng
lht' Ht'u/lnK PIIII tr of rJv HUmJJn Sp,ru \\.aJpoie.
'H Stillp0lnl Pu~I"hln. Co. [9S<
Biological DentistlJ
I Prh.-e. \\. A [)tnfu{ Inft'(//(Jn.l \- olume I Oral
anJ S~'leml"': Ck...dand.OH Benton Publl\hlng.
19' 3
~ ..... ~uner. 0 ··The DlagnO\I ... and Therap~ of FO('al
and Field Dl\order\ .. Ruum &. uu .:: no ~ ( 1\141 )
'Strau\\ F G and Eggle\lon. D .... "Ig-\
~ephmpa[h~ A\").()Clatcd With l.)enlaJ ....... ld.el Allo:-
Actlvltv of Essential OIls and Oil Combinations."
Journai of the Amertcan PhamwceU/lcai AssoclQ/
Ion: Scientific EditIOn 47 (1958): 294.
Maruzella. J. C ...Antibacterial Activity of Essential
011 Vapor,;.'· Journal of the American Phamwceu/
Ical AssoCIatIOn: SCIentIfic EditIOn 49 (1960): 692.
Maruzella. J. C "Effects of Vapor,; of Aromatic
Chemicals on FungI." Journal of Pharmaceu/lcal
SCIence 50 (1961 ): 655
25 Gumbel. D. Wie neugeboren Durch Heilkrauter·
Essen:en. MUnich: Grafe und Cnzer. 1990.
26 IbId.
27 Franchomme. P.. and PenceI. D. "Aromatheraple
exactement.-- ed. Roger JollolS. Ltmoges 1990
28 "Aromatherapy on the Wards: Lavendar Beats
Benzodlazeplnes.'· Feature Article. ImernatlOnai
Journal ofAromatherapv I no.2 (1988): I.
29 Rees. W. D.: Evans. B. K.: and Rhodes. J
--Treating Irrttable Bowel Syndrome with Peppermint
Oil." BWlSh MedIcal Journal 2 no. 6194
(Oct. 1979): 835-836
I Bannerman. R. H.. Bunon. J .. and Wen-Ch.eh.
C. eds. TradItIOnal MedICIne and Health Care
COl'erage. Geneva: World Health Organization.
Sharma. H. ~1.. Tnguna. B. D.: and Chopra. D.
"Mahartsh, Ayur-veda: ."lodern InSIghts Into
AnCient \1edlclne." Journal of tnt' Amt'rlcan
MedIcal AssoclG/lon 266 no.13 (19911. 2633-2637
2 SodhI. V --A vurveda The Setence of Ltfe and
\10ther of the Healing Arts" In A Textbook of
Satural ,Wedlcme. ed J. E. Ptlzomo and \1 T
\lurray Seattle. WA John Bastyr College Publ"
cations. 1989
3 Sharma. H \L Tnguna. B D. and Chopra. D
--\lahartshl A'ur-'eda: \lodern InSight' Into
An(lent .\1edlcme .. Journal of rh~ Aml'flCan
Med,cal ASSOCIatIOn 265 no 20119<111 2633-2634.
Letter; to the edItor. Ytahanshl A.vur·veda. Journal
of the Aml'ncan ,\fed/cal AHOCl~21l()n ~66 no 13
119'111 [""'9-177~
~.'." ~~~,' .
!;'.. r~':~
i· '"'!:
August 30, 1995
Dr. Terry Lee, D.D.S.
4210 North 32nd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Dear Dr. Lee:
You have our permission to reproduce the chapter IIBiological
Dentistry" from our book Alternative Medicine: The Definitive
Guide (Future Medicine Publishing, 1994) to use in your legislative
and legal efforts to deal with the harassment of the m.edical
Good luck. Please talk to our publisher, Burton Goldberg: 415435-
21'I:MAIf\S~REET· TIB..;RON.CA,949:?C. 41$-435-1170. FAX4'5-43S.7775
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A'temall'Je Med'clne The Defln,u.e GuiCe • Alternative Medlcn'Hl Yellow Pages • Alternative Med,cme Olgas:
TERRY LEE, D.D.S.lCOMPLAINT NO. 95135
This complaint involves a holistic dentist, Dr. Terry Lee. A holistic dentist is a
professional who treats disease of the oral cavity, like any other dentist, but in doing
so, he relies upon and utilizes diagnostic techniques and treatment modalities based
on holistic and Ilorneopathic principles not utilized by his allopathic colleagues.
This complaint involves a knowledgeable patient who specifically sought out Dr. Terry
Lee because of ttle fact that Dr. Lee was a holistic dentist. As a result, a
doctor/patIent relationship arose and during the course of this relationship, Dr. Lee
employed some of the holistic diagnostic techniques and homeopathic treatment
modalities upon which his dental practice is built and his professional reputation is
based. A dispute arose between the patient and Dr. Lee and, as is common in ttlis
state, a complaint was filed with the Dental Board.
An Informal Interview was held and the Panel, 2 of whom are Board members, issued
their findings of fact and recommendations. This full Board is now faced with
deciding how to proceed against Dr. Terry LeB. If this Board concludes that Dr. Lee's
actions durIng his treatment of Mr. Cain w~re inappropriate, whether that be by erring
in his diagnosis, or by failing to adequately obtain the patient's consent, then a
unified plea is t)e1ng made to discipline Dr. Lee on that basis alone and in the same
manner and to the same degree as this Board would any of the 50 or so dentists who
come before this Board at any given meeting. Terry Lee should not be singled out for
more severe treatment than his allopathic colleagues, solely on the baSIS of his
holistic philosophies
Members of this Board have gone on record as being openly critical of many of the
philosophies rplied upon by holistic dentists. As individuals you have that right.
However. this Board musT reC4ltze that the philosophies and practices utilized by Dr.
Terry Lep. arp. relied upon and utilized by a substantial minority of practitioners, Ilot
only In this state or in this country, but throughout the world. As members of this
BO<lrd y011 have the responsibility of protecting the health, welfare and safety of the
publiC. HOW9vpr. yOU do not have the right to censor those who hold alternate views
from yours linder the guise of protecting public health.
Some of the fll)d1nys of fact arrived at by the Panel would appear to support an
argument that Or. Lee is being treated in a prejudicial manner.
118 Dr. Lee recon)mended liter ature to Mr. Cain which states root canal
teeth CellI t.le toXIC or poisonous or cause numerous medical problems.
A (lentlst. like ally !iealth care profeSSional, is required ethically and legally to provide
d patient wlfl1 trpi-ltment alternatives and sufficient Information to make an Informed
dp.r.ision Cl'3 to how that patient Wishes to proceed with the treatment of her/his body.
- -
Believing a valid controversy exists concerning tIle risks and benefits associated with
conventional root canal therapy, Dr. Terry Lee discussed this issue with the patient,
but before taking any action, recommended that the patient purchase a published
book, so that he could come to his own decision as to how he wished to proceed.
The Panel inferred Dr. Lee should not be allowed to recommend literature on certain
topics. This is tantamount to saying that access to such information should be
curtailed by this state agency. Have we forgotten about the fundamental right
guaranteed to every individual by the First Amendment to the U.S, Constitution.
The Panel alsu concluded in findings #6, #7, #9 and #10 that Dr. Lee utilizes
techniques having no scientific justification, validity or reliability. Okay. let's talk
about scientific basis.
There is no sCientific basis behind the systematic extraction of asymptomatic third
molars by con'Jentlonal dental practitioners. In fact, recent scientific studies and
applied statistic:al analysis have concluded that removal of asymptomatic third molars
is clearly inappropriate. Yet, the Board is not attempting to build a case against every
oral surgeon In Ulis state for providing unnecessary treatment. So why is Dr. Lee
being treated differently"
It's been scientifically proven and accepted by the World Health Organization that the
principle sourcp of mercury found in most human bodies comes, not from fish or the
environment. but from dental amalgams. Despite this finding, and despite the
scientific fact that mercury IS one of the most toXIC substances known to humans,
members of H18 dental profession continue to implant tons of mercury fillings into
patient's teeth, relying on the "scientific argument" that critics can't concllJsively
prove that mercury fillings are harmful. This is the same argument promoted by the
tobacco compi1nies concerning cigarette smoke. Even more alarming is the fact that
most dentists ciOrl't even discuss the controversy surrounding mercury filltngs before
placing thiS slJostance In their patient's mouths. Some lay people might consider it
Important tr1i:H ;:In 8ntire country banned the use of mercury fillings because, on the
baSIS of scientific evidence, they no longer believe dental amalgams to be an
appropriate tooth filling material But the Dental Board is not filing allegations against
these dentl'-'t5 h'r failing to adequately inform or failing to base their treatment on
scientific eVldplK8.
So why IS TI=Hry Lpp. being treated differ.ently7 You will now be left to consider that
.. .. .. .. ..
1 in a, in a proper arena.
Dr. Dalpiaz?
Madam Cha1rman I was one of the hearing
4 board members and, uh, not the presiding officer, but a
5 member. And it would be my recommendation, and I will so
6 move at this time, this complaint be forwarded and remanded
7 to formal hearing Wherein a contested arena these concerns
8 can be resolved. And I so move.
9 MADAM PRESIDENT: Any second?
10 BOARD: ( Inaudible) .
11 MADAM PRESIDENT: Okay. Yes, Mr. Standard?
12 MR. STANDARD: I'm going to vote against that. I
13 think, gentlemen, and ladies, we should look at what this
14 issue involves. What we're talking about here is this Board
15 taking a position about concerning one theory of medicine
16 versus another theory of medicine. One theory of dentistry
17 versus another theory of dentistry. I don I t think this
18 Board should be deciding which theory 1s right and which
19 theory 1s wrong.' I don't think we should get into the
20 posture of making those types of decisions. If a particular
21 situation 1i drew points out involves a particular patient
22 and its unprofessional conduct, that's what we address. But
23 if we send this matter to a formal hearing, you're setting
141' 24 =a a scenario where this Board 1s going to be taking on one
25 theory of dentistry versus another theory of dentistry. And
26 I don't thlnk that's a function of this Board.
27 BOARD: I, if r may. I disagree. I think its a much
1 MR. STANDARD: The Board shouldn't make the decision of
2 what's the proper way, philosophically, to practice
3 medicine. The
4 BOARD: Well, I think . . .
5 MR. STANDARD: The Board makes decisions, makes
6 decisions based on whether a particular dent1st did an
7 improper action involving patient "x" or patient "y" .
8 That's What we're involved in. But we're not gett1ng
9 involved in a philosophical decision about which is proper
10 and Which 1s not. This thing is g01ng to get blown up . .
11 BOARD: Well
12 MR. STANDARD: Its going to get picked up in the papers
13 and its going to be the Arizona Board of Dental Examiners is
14 taking a position, or is taking an investigation into which
15 1s the proper and which Is the improper way. I don't think
16 we should touch it. That's why I'm going to vote against
17 it.
18 BOARD: What would be the alternative?
19 MR. STANDARD: Drop that issue.
20 BOARD: We can 't.
21 BOARD: Drop it?
22 BOARD: Deal with this as it ...
23 MR. STANDARD: Well
24 BOARD: Could you educate me on the criteria for
25 submitting something to a formal hearing?
26 LEGAL COUNSEL: What the criteria is? If the evidence
27 that the Board has 1n front of it, based on that if you
Alright, then ...
which we are charged with ...
That's right.
. . . yes we should.
LEGAL COUNSEL: No 1t doesn't mean the. t . . .
BOARD: Those practices threaten the public health,
safety, and welfare.
BOARD: Okay.
think it warrants a suspension or revocation of a license
then you should send it to formal hear1ng. That's the way
your statute reads.
BOARD: That's what it says.
BOARD: Exactly.
BOARD: So that's, that is what we're looking at
here. Is this, 1s this a serious enough allegation,
allegations, to warrant those two possibilities?
BOARD: That doesn't presuppose the outcome.
LEGAL COUNSEL: Huh uh.
BOARD: No.
LEGAL COUNSEL: If you think the facts presented to you
are of an egregious nature. That your other (inaudible)
BOARD: You know.
BOARD: But aren't we, aren't we talking about taking
this to a formal hearing and if we find that, that, uh,
these practices were used, therefore he should lose his
That's why the committee has recommended.
Alright, are we going to proceed to formal
BOARD: Alright. Are we going to be asked then ...
to make a determination that the holistic practice of
dentistry is a threat to public health and welfare in the
state of Arizona?
BOARD: No sir.
BOARD: No.
BOARD: No sir. I don't think that's at issue here.
And that's why we should keep above that. We should keep
above it and stay on course that we are investigating the
patient's complaint and finding the facts of that complaint.
That irreversible surgical procedures have been done to
endanger. Not holistic medicine.
LEGAL COUNSEL: And that they were done without proper
diagnosis and
BOARD: I think that that's a worthwhile objective.
But I don't think that's what theSQ people have in mind.
BOARD: Well ...
BOARD: And 1 think that that's what's g01ng to
BOARD: .. , we can't let them guide us though. r
mean, we must act appropriately.
BOARD: But I don't. But that's what's going to
happen. That's what they're going to make of it.
BOARD: As we ...
I don't think we should be getting into that
2 issue.
3 BOARD: As we look at the cases that we Bee at this
BOARD: Or suspend 1t?
BOARD: Or suspend it. From everything we've seen on
this Board for as long I question that.
GARY SMITH, ESQ. : Thank you, Dr. Doerr.
MADAM PRESIDENT: I think that question would have to
4 level, and if we find through no preference to treatment
5 modality that this 1s what happened, is it severe enough to
6 revoke his 1 icense?
12 be answered at that, at that time. When we have heard ...
13 BOARD: Well that's, that's totally up to the Board.
14 I mean that's why.
15 BOARD: But, but you have to look at the worst case
16 scenario. Look at the worst case scenario on this thing,
17 that he did everything that we said he did, shoUld we revoke
18 his license for that?
Or suspend.
Or suspend.
Okay. We have a motion before us
22 to send this to formal hearing. Do 1 have a second? And I
23 have a second. Let's vote on that issue. All those in
24 favor for sending this forward to formal hearing, say "Aye".
All those opposed?
1 MADAM PRESIDENT: TwO opposed. Okay we'll send this
2 to formal hearing. Thank you very much.
3 GARY SMITH, ESQ.: Thank you Board. For purpose of
4 the record I would like it to reflect that this was the
5 first time that the time element was invoked today in any
6 respondent and/or complainant.
7 BOARD: Well, I'll go on the record and tell you that
B it's not accurate.
1 MADAM PRESIDENT: Number 59 is the next one. Dr.
2 Terry Lee. And do we have a representative of the patient,
3 urn, here, Mr. King?
4 MR. KING: No.
S MADAM PRESIDENT: No? Okay. Alright. Would you
6 like to address the Board on this?
7 GARY SMITH, ESQ.: Thanks, yes I would. Thank you
8 Madam President. My name is Dr. Gary Smith. I am an
9 attorney representing Dr. Terry Lee. This complaint
10 involves a holistic dentist, Dr. Terry Lee. A holistic
11 dentist is a professional who treats disease of the oral
12 cavity like any other dentist. But in so doing, he relies
13 upon and utilizes diagnostic techniques and treatment
14 modalities based on holistic and homeopathic principals not
15 utilized by allopathic colleagues.
16 This complaint involves a patient, a knowledgeable
17 patient, who specifically sought out Dr. Terry Lee because
18 of the fact that he has a holistic dentist. As a result, a
19 doctor-patient relationship arose. And during the course of
20 this relationship, Dr. Lee employed some of the holistic
21 diagnostic techniques and homeopathic treatment modalities
22 upon which his dental practice is bUilt and his professional
23 reputation is based. A dispute arose between Mr. Cain and
24 Dr. Lee. And as is common in this state, a complaint was
25 filed with the Board of Dental Examiners. An informal
26 interview was held and the panel, two of whom are board
27 members, issued their findings of fact and recommendations.
28 This full Board is now faced with the decision of how to
1 proceed against Dr. Terry Lee. If this Board concludes that
2 Dr. Terry Lee's actions, during his treatment of Mr. Cain,
3 were inappropriate, whether that be by erring 1n his
4 diagnosis or by fai11ng to adequately obtain the patient's
5 consent, then a unified plea 1s being made to discipline Dr.
6 Lee on that basis alone. And in the same manner and to the
7 same degree as you would any of the SO or so dentists who
8 come before this Board at any given meeting. Terry Lee
9 Should not be singled out for more severe than his
10 allopathic colleagues solely on the basis of his holistic
11 philosophies. Members of this Board have gone on record as
12 being openly critical of many of the philosophies relied
13 upon by holistic dentists. As individuals you have that
14 right. However, this Board must realize that the
15 philosophies and practices utilized by Dr. Terry Lee are
16 relied upon and utilized by a substantial minority of
17 practitioners not only 1n this state or in this country, but
18 throughout the world. As members of this Board, you have
19 the responsibility of protecting the health, welfare, and
20 safety of the pUblic. However, you do not have the right to
21 censor those who hold alternative Views under the guise of
22 protecting public health. Some of the findings of fact
23 arrived at by the panel would appear to support an argument
24 that Dr. Lee is being treated in a prejudicial manner.
25 Specifically, finding number 8. Dr. Lee recommended
26 literature to Mr. Cain which states root canal teeth can be
27 toxic or poisonous or cause numerous medical problems. A
1 dentist like any other health care professional is required
. '-'
2 ethically and legally to provide a patient with treatment
3 alternatives and sufficient information to make an informed
4 decision as to how that patient wishes to proceed with their
5 treatment. Believing a valid controversy exists within the
6 dental professional concerning the risk and benefits
7 associated with conventional root canal therapy, Dr. Lee
8 discussed this issue with Mr. Cain, but before ever taking
9 any action, recommended that Mr. Cain purchase a published
10 text book, strike that, a pUblished book so that he could
11 come to his own decision as to how he wished to proceed in
12 regards to this issue.
13 The panel is saying Dr. Lee should not be allowed to
14 recommend literature on certain topics to patients. This is
15 tantamount to saying that access to such information should
16 be curtailed by this state agency. Have we forgotten about
17 the fundamental right guaranteed to every individual through
18 the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
19 MADAM PRESIDENT: Okay if you could summarize for us
20 I would appreciate that.
21 GARY SMITH, ESQ.: Yes rna I am.
22 DR. CLARK: What, one quick minute, would you just
23 state that again what you said, that panel recommended that
24 he could not dispense literature. Is that what you just
25 said?
26 GARY SMITH, ESQ.: No. The panel said that he could
~ 27 not recommend that the patient go and buy literature at a
bookstore relating to the issues of which were being
addressed in this complaint.
DR, CLARK: I don't see that. Show me where that
GARY SMITH, ESQ.: What did they say, Dr. Clark?
MR. CLARK: They said that, they have just stated
that, a fact, they said Dr. Lee recommended literature to
Mr. Cain which states that root canaled teeth can be toxic
or poisonous and they've made a fact, That's a fact. They
don't say that he can't do that. They just state that as a
finding of fact.
GARY SMITH, ESQ.: Point well taken, sir. They then
went on to recommend that this matter go to a formal hearing
GARY SMITH, ESQ.: Finding of fact number 8.
MR. CLARK: Which, urn, that's out of context.
GARY SMITH, ESQ.: Dr. Lee recommended literature to
Mr. Cain
MR. CLARK: Which states that root canal teeth can
be toxic or poisonous and cause numeral. . . it didn't say
that you can't buy literature concerning that. You Bee what
I'm saying?
GARY SMITH, ESQ.: The panel said that Dr. Lee was
inappropriate in making a recommendation to a patient that
he go purchase a text book to read on his own as to that
MR. CLARK: That's not, that's not what they did
1 because of that f1nding of fact.
2 MR. CLARK: Not ... no, no that's not true either.
3 GARY SMITH, ESQ.: Okay. Okay.
4 MR. CLARK: These are the facts that they bring out.
S BOARD: That's counsel's (inaudible)
6 MR. CLARK: I mean there are not 23 reasons why if
7 tha t happens.
8 GARY SMITH, ESQ.: Alright. Then lets jump down to
9 the next one, alright? Uh, the panel .
10 MADAM PRESIDENT: I would rather
11 MR. CLARK: Go ahead, ya, I was just .
12 MADAM PRESIDENT: .,. not take it detail by detail
13 until..
14 GARY SMITH, ESQ.: I am not, Madam President, you
15 allowed me at least a minute to summarize if I may.
16 MADAM PRESIDENT: Yes.
17 GARY SMITH, ESQ.: The panel also concludes 1n
18 findings 6, 7, 9 and 10 that Dr. Lee utilizes techniques
19 having no scientific justification, validity, or
20 reliability. Okay, let's talK scientific basis. There 1s
21 nosclentlfic basis behind the systematic extraction of
22 asymptomatic third molars by conventional dental
23 practitioners. In fact, recent scientific studies and
24 applied statistical analysis have concluded the removal of
25 asymptomatic thirds 1s clearly inappropriate. Yet, this
26 Board is not attempting to bUild a case against every oral
27 surgeon in this state for providing unnecessary treatment.
1 Similarly, its been scientifically proven and accepted by
2 the World Health Organization that the principal source of
3 mercury found in most human bodies comes not from fish or
4 the environment but from dental amalgams. Despite this
5 finding and despite the scientific fact that mercury is one
6 of the most toxic substances known to humans, members of the
7 dental profession continue to implant this material in their
8 patient's mouths.
9 MADAM PRESIDENT: Okay. I think we've come to a
10 place where we need to give the Board an opportunity to ask
11 questions and then proceed from there. Dr. Langley1
12 DR. beE: If I might just make a statement.
13 Especially, uh, publicly for the record. Uh, r think
14 there's been Borne allegations made that the Board is working
15 under a guise of protecting the public to, uh, for some
16 point and we take patient complaints and we're obligated by
17 statute to investigate them and find the facts. And that is
18 all We are to do. And we have no vendetta against any
19 group. And We have no underlyin; issues about naturopathic
20 people O~ holistic people In, in these complaints we are
21 investigating what the patients are alleg1ng. So I don't
22 think we need to get too much off track. And, and I just
23 want to ask the Board 1f this 1s going to formal hearing, I
24 don't think this 1s 8 probably a very good place for
25 discourse. It probably should just be moved to go to formal
26 hearing and let it go a contested hearing where expert
27 witnesses can be produced on both sides. And we can do this
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Roger and Annie Greenwald
549 E. McKellips #76
Mesa, AZ 85203
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Greenwald:
lU~oc1ttX, AriZOH<t
August 24, 1995
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I have no problem with the practice of "holistic dentistry" and the executive director of the Board
of Dental Examiners, Dr. Drew Langley, also emp·hasized that the board is not looking to prevent
this practice.
Without divulging the details Dr. Langley stated that the investigation of Dr. Terry Lee has to do
with other complaints that have nothing to do with this practice. Pursuant to statute, the board
must investigate formal complaints and a determination has yet to be rendered.
I am watching this issue with great interest Dr Lee should be judged on the merits of his
practice and not through the eyes of institutional prejudice. If his dental technique is flawed then
he should be reprimanded If on the other hand Dr. Lee is simply being harassed for his
alternative dentistry, then these complaints would be unwarranted Again, Dr Langley has
assured my office that this not the case If sanctions are given the information will be public
Thank you for alerting me to this situation
\. ~ .ckJwJD, eNn Buster
S'tate Senator
P.O. Box 608531, Orlando, FL 32860-8531 - TIF: (407) 298-2450
10 August 1995
TO: Members of the State Boards of Dentistry.
FROM: The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology.
Dear Board of Dentistry member:
Recently, in a Court of Law, the American Dental Association (ADA) declared that it
"owes no legal duty of care to protect the public from allegedly dangerous products
used by dentists" (Exhibit A). The Court agreed with the ADA's argument. Clearly,
the "legal duty of care to protect the public from allegedly dangerous products used
by dentists" rests with the members of the State Boards of Dentistry, a duty that is
vested by Law.
A growing difference of position on the safety of mercury exposure from dental amalgam
has developed between medical scientists and the dental profession. A recent
review paper published in the very prestigious FASEB Journal emphasizes that difference
of opinion (Exhibit B). To be sure. a number of committees have issued consensus
opinions that mercury exposure from dental amalgam presents no health'risk
to patients. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that no number of opinions,
whether derived from committees or published in dental journals, will change the findings
of medical scientists.
As portrayed by the recent letter from the Canadian Dental Association to its membership.
even government agencies are recognizing a potential health threat from dental
amalgam (Exhibit C). In the United States. the Public Health Service has established
a new Minimal Risk Level (MRL) for chronic exposure to mercury vapor and noted
that level to be well below the lowest acknowledged intakes of mercury vapor from
dental amalgam (Exhibit D).
The issue is further complicated by the fact that mixed dental amalgam has never
been accepted and classified by the Food and Drug Administration (Exhibit E). nor
has it been certified by the ADA (Exhibit F). Both organizations have formally
declared that. as a "reaction product". the individual dentist bears responsibility for
its use (Exhibits F and G).
As the Board of Dentistry bears the ultimate responsibility for the public health. and
the security of the dental profession. the lAOMT urges you to communicate the
enclosed information accordingly.
1fichaeIF. ZilJ. D.D.S.
Executive Director
-" <.:
'lII.UIlY ..,0
Thi~ iG tho seoond demurrer tiled by the AMERICAN DENT'~
SO North first Street
San Jos., California 9~11j
(408) 287-6262,
A~~orn.ya tor Oefendant THE AMERI~~ OENTAL ASSOCIATION
Case No. 718228
DATE: Oetober 22, l.gg:!
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
HZXOJUNDOK OJ' 'l'O%N"r8 JUrt)
A~O.%T%B8 tN SUPPORT OF
C~Bft or ~zr~~, TEE
AX"IC~ DENTAL A8Ioe:~~XON
~o ~L1%WTI~P'g SZCORD '~~NOCO
COXPL1INT rOR DAX1azs
**;", ...
WILt. r AM H. TOLHURST, )
Plaintiff, )
va. ))
PRODUCTS, INC. 1 tNCELHARO )
CORP.; ABE OENTAL, INC.l TH~ )
AME~ICAN OEN~~L ASSOCIATION, et )
a1. )
DQtendanta. )
:!1 ASSOCIATION ("ADA"). Thu f irB~ demurrer ....as cu::ta inod pUr8\;.a.1"I~ to
22 the pl~inti't's stipulation with 10 days leave to amend. T~e
plaintiff timQly tiled a second a~.nded co~plaint en hU9uat 14,
199~. The plaintitf alleqeg personal injuri•• r ••ultinq trcm
r ' C -
mereury toxioity throuqh exp08urv to his mereury amalgam fillinqs. ~
Hi. first eaU~Q ot aotion iG tor strict productG liability aqainct
his dentist, Thomas Fit:qorald, and various manu~~~~urorG and
Tho sQcond and third Causes of action are a~~inst the s~me
2 dotendant. tor breach of warranty and n.qliq~noe, resp.etively.
J Plaintiff'_ fitth cau~e of action is tor ne~liqenee ag~inst
4 dafQndant Fit%9Qrald only.
S The pl~intitf'g fourth oause ot aotion is the only el~im
6 all.9*d 69ainst the ACA. The oomplaint alleges tha~ the AD~ wa~
7 n.gligQn~ in informing or tailing to inform the public about the
8 Alleged danq.rs or rn~rcury-ccntaininq ama19am.. We havo found no
9 authority in any juri.diction ~hat a p~ofG.8ional service
10 a ••ociation, like tho ADA, is liable for injuries to the pUblic
11 cauSad by ~roductc UQGd by its memborc. Th. plaintiff attempt&
12 here to create • n.w lQqal duty wh.re non. QXist5. He ask. this
13 Cou~t to formul.te • new law whioh ooul~ impose liability O~ the
14 ADA ter QVQry dental rolated injury .uffered by any p.r.on in th~
15 United States.
16 The ADA O~•• no lagAl duty ot care to prot8ct the pUbllc fron
17 all_q-dly dangorou. preductc u80d by deneists. The ACA.did not
18 o~anut.cturg, d •• iqn, supply or in~tall tho meroury-containing
19 amalqatlls. 'the AOA doe. not eontrol thoce who do. The AOA'I; only
20 ~llogod involvement in the produot lJas to provide intormatilJn
21 r~9'ardin9 itc U8a. oieaemination or informaidon relat1n9 'te) the
22 ·prl!ctica ot ~.ntistr.y· ~OliHt not- cr.~tO' -a- dt1t~io! care ·to' 'pr-ot:cct
23 the pUblic trolIl potential injury. Ther.fore, tor the rcueons
~ .xpr••••d above, tho demurror muat be sustained without 19~"e to
26 Mereover, the demurror must be 8u8tainQd because the
27 plaintiff'. oause ot action is uncertain. The fourth causa of
< '18 aotion is oapt ionod aria one for "neq1 ig.no." . However, it appearc
Awc#"eE ..ou.-,a:-.
.,.1"...... £ x-.
~ paqe 2 ..-eo M- c__
Mercury exposure from "silver" tooth fillings: emerging
evidence questions a traditional dental paradigm
FRITZ L LORSCHEIDER,.,1 MURRAYJ. VIMY,t and ANNE O. SUMMERS:
*Department of Medical Physiology and tDepanment o~ Medicine: F~ty of Medi~e,Universityo~ Calgary,
Alberta. T2N 4NI, Canada; and !Deparonent of MicroblOlogy, UruVerslty of Georgta, Athens. Georgta, 30602,
l -
Abstract: For more than 160 years dentistry has used
silver amalgam, which contains approximately 50% Hg
metal, as the preferred tooth filling material. During ~e
past decade medical research has demonstrated that this
Hg is continuously released as vapor into mouth air; then
it is inhaled, absorbed into body tissues, oxidized to ionic
Hg, and finally covalently bound to cell proteins. Animal
and human experiments demonstrate that the u~~e,
tissue distribution, and excretion of amalgam Hg 15 sIgnificant,
and that dental amalgam is the major contributing
source to Hg body burden in humans. Current
research on the pathophysiological effects of amalgam
Hg has focused upon the immune system, renal system,
oral and intestinal bacteria, reproductive system, and the
central nervous system. Research evidence does not support
the notion of amalgam safety.-Lorscheider, F. L,
Vimy, M. J., Summers, A. O. Mercury exposure from
"silver" tooth fillings: emerging evidence questions a
traditional dental paradigm. EASEB]. 9,504-508 (1995)
KeyWOTds: mercury to:cicity· dental amalgam
HISTORlCAL OVERVlEW OF MERCURY USE IN
As early as the 7th centurv, the Chinese used a Msilver
paste" containing mercury (Hg) to fill decaved teeth.
Throughout the Middle Ages. alchemists in China and
Europe observed that this mvstenous silverv liqUId. extracted
from Cinnabar ore. was volatile and would quicklv
disappear as a vapor when mildlv heated. AlchemiSts were
fasCinated that at room temperature Hg appeared to "dissolve"
powders of other metals such as silver. un. and
copper. Bv the earlv 1800s. the use of a Hg/sl1Yer paste
as a tooth filllng matenal .....as belOg populanzed In England
and France and It was eventualh' Introduced IOto
:\ orth :\menc..l III the l8~O~ Some earl\' dental practitioners
expressed concerns that the HK'silver mIxture
(amalgam) expanded after setting. frequen tlv fraClunng
the tooth or protrudlOg above the canty prepar.ll1on. and
thereb\' prevented proper Ja..... closure, Other dentiSts
were concerned about mercunal pOisomng. because It
was already WIdelY recognized that Hg exposure resulted
10 man\' oven Side effects. mcludmg dementia and loss of
motor coordmatlon. By 1845. as ~a reflecuon of these
concerns. the Amencan Societ\' of Dental Surgeons and
several affihated reglOnal dental SOCieties adopted a resolution
that memoers Sign a pledge not to use amalgam.
ConsequentlY. dunng the next decade some members of
the societY were suspended for the malpracuce of usmg
amalgam.' But the advocates of amalgam eventually prevailed
and membership in the American SOCIety of Dental
Surgeons declined, forcing it to disband in 1856, In m
place arose the American Dental Assoaauon. founded 10
1859, based on the advocacy of amalgam as a safe and
desirable tooth filling material. Shortly thereafter, tin was
added to the Hg!silver paste to counteract the expanslOn
properties of the previous amalgam fonnula (1-3).
There were compelling economic reasons for promoting
dental amalgam as a replacement for the other common
filling materials of the day such as cement, lead,
gold, and unfoiL Amalgam's introduction meant that dental
care would now be within the financial means of a
much wider sector of the population, and because amalgam
was simple and easy to use, dentists could readily be
trained to treat the anticipated large number of new patients.
By 1895, the dental amalgam mixture of metals
had been modified further to control for expansion and
contraction, and the basic formula has remained essentially
unchanged since then (2, 3). Scientific concerns
about amalgam safety initially surfaced in Gennanv during
the 1920s, but eventually subsided without a clear
resolution. At the present time. based on 1992 dental
manufacturer specifications. amalgam (at mixing) typically
contains approximately 50% metallic Hg, 35% silver.
9% tin, 6% copper, and a trace of zinc. Estimates of
annual Hg usage by U.S. dentists range from approximately
100,000 kg in the 1970s to 70,000 kg today. Hg
fillings continue to remain the material preferred by 92%
of U.S. dentists for restoring posterior teeth (4.5). More
than 100 million Hg fillings are placed each year in the
U_S. Presently, organized dentistrV has countered the controversv
surrounding the use of Hg fillings bv claiming
that Hg reacts with the other amalgam metals to form a
"biologlcallv inacuve substance" and by observing that
dentists have not reponed any adverse Side effects 10
pauents. Long-tenn use and populant\ also continue to
be offered as e\1dence of amal~m safety (6),
In light of the medical research endence that has accumulated
pnmarilv o\'er the past decade. the purpose of
thiS renew is to examme the traditIOnal dental paradigm
that malO tams that amal~m IS a blOlo~call\' safe ;!nd
appropnate tooth restoratl\'e matenal
\tERCL'RY L\:.POSCRE FRO\l A\1.-\LG.-\\t FILLl:\GS
During the earlY 1980s several laboratones established
that Hg vapor (HgO) IS contmuouslY released from amalgam
tooth ftllings. and that the rate of release mto ~uman
mouth air is increased ImmediatelY after chewmg (/-9\ or
tooth brushing (10). Mouth air levels of HgO correlate
SignificantlY with the number of occlusal (biting) amalgam
surfaces in molar teeth. Continuous chewmg for 10-30
mm results in a sustained elevauon of the mouth HgO
level. which eventually declines to a basehne level 90 mm
ITo whom cOrTopondence should be addre~. ~[ Depanmem of
Medial PhvslOlogy. Faculrv of Mediane. Uruven,rv of Calgary. 3~~O
Hospu~ Dr. NW. Calgary. Alberu.. c.=cb TIN 4Nl.070
--------------------------------------------- Kt: v I t; Vii
In pregnant sheep, which received amalgam fillings
containing a radioactive Hg tracer, it was demonstrated
that both maternal and fetal tissues began to accumulate
amalgam Hg within several davs after such fillings were
installed. Maternal-fetal transfer of amalgam Hg was progressive
with advancing gestation. and amalgam Hg also
transferred to breast milk postpartum (24). More recently,
human fetal/neonatal studies have likewise demonstrated
that Hg concentrations in fetal kidney and liver,
and cerebral cortex of infants. correlate significantlv with
the number of amalgam filled teeth of their mothers (25).
This latter finding is consistent with previous animal stud·
ies that show greater Hg concentration in rat fetal tissues
(and less placental retention) when the source of exposure
was HgO rather than mercuric salts (26).
SQO.lATlC CELLS
,nd A8C
12 J 1JI9If1)
Figure 1. ~1etaboitsm of mercurv species
Major metabolic pathways
Figure 1 illustrates the major metabolic pathwavs for the
three species of Hg. The principal source of HgtJ is vapor
from dental amalgam tooth fillings, whereas organic Hg
(Hg+) is derived principally from fish and seafood, and
inorganic Hg (}ig2+) originates from other foods, water,
and air. ApproximatelY 80% of inhaled HgO is absorbed
across the lung and convened to Hg~· intracellularly by
catalase oxidation. In contrast to other Hg species, the
high lipid solubility of Hgo permits it to cross cell memo
branes readily, including the blood-brain barrier, and
easily enter the brain. However, the kidney eventually
becomes the major site of Hg accumulation during compartmental
redistribution after exposure to Ht. Some
H~ is also dissolved in saliva and swallowed, converted to
H~· by peroxidase oxidation, and the majority is eliminate~
b~ fecal excretion. Other Hg2+ that is ingested in
the diet IS poorly absorbed across the Intestinal tract and
most is excreted in the feces. Although the majority of
Hg+ from the diet is also eliminated in the feces, a substantial
ponion is absorbed intracellularly as methyl-Hg+.
Both intracellular Hg2+ and Hg+ are ultimately bound
covalently to glutathione (GSH) and protein cvsteine
groups. Hg2+ is the toxic product responsible for the ad·
\"erseeffects of inhaled Hf· Bodv 9 tissues have various
retenuon half:h\"es for Hg and Hg'+ ranglng from days
to years (15, 1,,26-28). After Hg is released from tissues,
fecal excreuon becomes the predominant route for eliminauon
of Hg from the body. Human fecal excretion of
after chewing cessation (11). Blood Hg levels also displav
a positive correlation with the number and tocal surface
area of amalgam fillings (12).
A single amalsam filling with an average surface area
of only 0.4 cm2 IS estimated to release as much as 15 llg
Hgiday primarily through mechanical wear and evaporation,
but also through dissolution into saliva (13). Recent
electron microscopy images and electrochemistrY data
show direct evidence of amalgam Hg corrosion and leakage
into saliva as free ions (14). Thus, for an average
individual with eight occlusal amalgam fillings (11), a total
of 120 llg Hg could be released daily into the mouth and
a portion of this amount would be inhaled or swallowed.
These estimations are consistent with a recent report
showing that human subjects with an average number of
amalgam fillings excrete approximately 60 llg Hgiday in
feces (15), a portion of which is microparticles of amalgam.
Various laboratories have estimated that the average
daily body absorption of amalgam Hg in humans ranges
between 1.2 and 27 Jlg (16), with levels for some individual
subjects being as high as 100 Jlgi day. At the present
time the consensus average estimate is 10 Jlg of amalgam
Hg (range 3-17 Jlg) absorbed per day (17), an uptake
amount corroborated by a more recent daily estimate of
12 llg (15). Bv way of contrast, estimates of the daily
absorption of all forms of Hg from fish and seafood is 2.3
llg. and from other foods, air, and water is 0.3 llg (17).
Thus, it is now proposed that dental amalgam tooth fillings
are the major source of Hg exposure for the general
population (17, 18). This position has been clearly validated
by a recent demonstration that at least 65% of
excretable Hg in human urine is derived solely from dental
amalgams, and that amounts of Hg excreted also correlate
with total amalgam surface area (19).
The degree to which body tissues can sequester amalgam
Hg after exposure has been demonstrated in a variety of
human and animal experiments. Human autopsy studies
reveal significantly higher Hg concentrations in brain and
kidney of subjects WIth aged amalgam fillings than in
subjects who had no amalgam tooth restorations (20).
When amalgam fillings contaming a radioactive Hg tracer
were placed in sheep molar teeth. a whole-body image
scan performed 4 wk later demonstrated several possib1e
uptake sites for Hg including oral tissues. Jaw bone. lung,
and gastrointesunal tract. WIth major localization of Hg in
the kidnev and liver (21). A similar whole-bodv image
study repeated in a monkey (whose teeth, diet, feeding
reglmen. and cheWing pattern more closely resemble
those of humans) clearlv demonstrates high levels of
amalgam Hg in ludnev, tntestinal tract, and other tissues.
The brain/ CSF Hg rauo had increased threefold by 4 wk
after amalgam fillmgs had been Installed (22). The primate
kidney will conunue to accumulate amalgam Hg for
at least 1 year after installation of such fillings (23).
Repeated observations in adult sheep (21, 24) demonstrate
that after placement of amalgam fillings the blood
Hg levels remain relatively low even though the surrounding
body tissue concentrations of Hg become many fold
higher than blood. This suggests that ussues rapidly sequester
amalgam Hg at a rate equivalent to its initial
appearance In the CIrculation. Such a phenomenon may
explain whv monitoring blood levels of Hg in humans is
a poor indicator of the actual tissue body burden directlv
attributable to conunuous low-dose Hg exposure from
Hg correlates significantlv with the number of amalgam
fillings, and the excretion rate for Hg In feces IS 20 times
higher than its corresponding excretion rate in urine.
Even though fecal excretion of amalgam Hg predominates,
this principal excretory route in humans shows a
high correlation with urinarY excretion of Hg. Fecal excretion
rates for Hg in human subjects with amalgam
tooth fillings can be as much as 100-fold higher than in
subjects without such fillings (15).
Significance of glutathione and other sulfhydryl
The major low molecular weight sulfhvdr,'l compound in
mammals is GSH, present at approximately 5 mM in cells,
serum, and bile (29). Other low molecular weight sulfhydryls
present at lower concentrations in cells include cvsteine,
biotin, lipoic acid, and coenzyme A. The major
targets in proteins for binding of transition metals. including
Hg, are the sulfhydrvl group of cysteine and the
imino nitrogen of histidine. The aromatic ring nitrogens
of the nucleotide bases also form Hg complexes, with
thymine and uracil being more reactive than cytosme,
guanine, and adenine (~O).
Whereas Hgo from amalgam is lipid soluble and freely
passes through cell membranes, methyl and ionic Hg
from food and other sources are both charged and there·
fore must be complexed with counter-ions or low molecular
weight sulfur compounds in order to pass freelv
through the cell membrane.
The major cellular reaction potentiating the toxicity of
HgO is its oxidation by catalase, an enzyme found in all
normal mammalian cells (31). This oxidation process can
take place in any of the ~barrier tissues" of the body as
well as in the blood. Once generated within the cell bv
catalase, highly reactive Hg:!+will interact with a variety of
nucleophilic ligands, the most abundant single nucleophile
reactant being GSH. The sulfhydryl groups of proteins
are next in abundance and avidity for Hg:! , with the
imino nitrogens of histidine and the nucleobases bemg
substantially less reactiye.
Despite the large molar excess of GSH, many protems
compete verv effectively for binding of transitIOn metals
such as Zn. :'--1i. and Cu. The precise chemical baSIS for the
high affinitv of such metalloproteins is not understood:
many of the currently well-defined members of thiS
group, including Important regulator.' proteins. use cvsteines
and histidines as lIgands to their respecll\'e metal
cofactors (~~), Thus. these proteins may exchange metals.
including Hg. bound to GSH.
Once bound to CSH. Hg can lea\'e the cell to Circulate
in serum or h'mph and be deposited In other organs or
tissues. CS-Hg-~G IS eventualh eliminated via either the
kidney or downloaded \'la bile mto the mtestlnal lumen
and excreted In feces..-\fter Hg leaves cells. ItS major
route of elimination In anv form (morganic or organic) IS
via feces. with less than 10% of Hg normallv ex..ltlng the
body in unne (26), Expenments In sheep (~l. ~4) and
monkey (22) indicate that 99% of amalgam Hg IS excreted
m feces. and m humans with 30 amalgam surfaces the
ayerage 24 h excretion rate for Hg in feces IS 60 ~g (95%
of total dailv excretable Hg) in contrast to ~ ~gl24 h In
urine (15). In mammals. half-lives from acute Single doses
of Hg2+ or methvl-Hg+ range from months to Years,
Half-lives may .dlffer with chromc Hg exposure as a result
of compromised cellular function (e,g kldnev Hg turnover
deceases, with age and duration of exposure) (17.
EFFECTS OF .-\;\l.-\.LGAM ~lERCl'RY 0:\ CELL .-\.:--:D
The overt clinical effects resulting from toxic exposure to
the three species of Hg have been described (26, 28).
Various animal and human experiments over the past
several years have addressed the possibility of more subtle
pathophysiological effects of amalgam Hg upon th.e function
of several organ systems or cell types, Includmg the
immune system. renal system. oral and intestinal bacteria.
reproductIve system, arid central ner.'ous system.
Immune system
Ionic Hg has been shown to be antigenic and capable of
inducing autoimmunity in rats (33, 34). In a very recent
report, gelatin-encapsulated dental amalgam pieces were
implanted intraperitoneally in an inbred strain of mice
known to be genetically susceptible to Hg-induced immune
pathology. Within 10 wk to 6 months the animals
displayed hyperimmunoglobulinemia. serum autoantibodies
that targeted nucleolar proteins, and systemic Immune
complex deposits. Similar changes were observed
when only dental alloy (not containing Hg) was implanted.
and these immune aberrations were attributed to
the silver component of the alloy. This study concluded
that both Hg and silver dissolution from dental amalgam
can chronically stimulate the mouse immune system with
subsequent induction of systemic autoimmunity (35). In
humans, fecal excretion of silver is also correlated with
the number of amalgam fillings (15). This would suggest
that further investigation of the potential molecular effects
of amalgam metals on the human immune system is
Renal system
Because human (20). monkey (22, 23), and sheep (21)
kidney display significantlY increased Hg concentrations
after exposure to dental amalgam, some investigations
have focused on what these concentrations may imply for
renal function. Sheep with amalgam tooth filling implants
show a reduced filtration rate of inulin. increased urinarY
excretion of sodium. and a decrease in urinarY albumin
(~6). .-\n increased sodium excretion has also' been observed
in monkevs similarly treated with amalgam fillings
(unpublished data). Because Hg2+ accumulates primanlv
In the proXimal tubule of rat (~7) and rabbit (38) kidney
and amalg-am Hg in the proximal tubule of monkey kidnev
(2~). where the majority of sodium IS normally reabsorbed.
Increased excretion of sodium after placement of
amalgam fillings in sheep (36) may reflect a reduced tubular
capacity to conser.·e sodium selectlvelv. Urinarv albumin
levels mcreased 1 year after removal of amalgam
fillings in humans (12). \\'hereas urine albumm levels fell
In sheep after amalgam placement (36). It is uncertain
whether these differences m albumin excretion patterns
mav reflect a Hg-induced reduction in renal blood flow
due to the presence of amalgam fillings.
Oral and intestinal bacteria
It is well established that some human intestinal bacteria
carry plasmlds encoding resistance to both Hg and antibIOtics
(39). In a population subgroup of 356 persons who
had no recent antibiotic exposure. those individuals with
a high prevalence of Hg resistant bacteria in their intestinal
£lora were significantlY more likelv to display multiple
antibiotic. resistance in these same ba
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