Stakeholders condemn use of dental amalgam, say its dangerous to health

Worried by the danger posed by the continuous use of mercury in the country, dental practitioners and stakeholders have urged Federal and State governments to phase out the use of dental amalgam in children under-16, pregnant and breastfeeding women.

This will ensure improved dental health and a cleaner environment in Nigeria for the children, women and men promoting disease prevention, health promotion and protection.

This was parts of discussion had at the stakeholders briefing on phase down of dental amalgam in Edo State, with the theme ‘Towards mercury-free dentistry in Edo State’ held at WHARC event centre, Benin City, over the weekend.

Executive Director, Sustainable Environment Development Initiatives (SEDI), Nigeria, Dr. Tom Aneni, organised the event that included other stakeholders like the President, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, Charles Brown from USA; Edo State Commissioner for health, Dr. David Osifo, and  Commissioner for environment, Mrs. Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku.

Others are Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADEV), Dr. Leslie Adogame; Chairman, Nigeria Dental Association (NDA), Edo State chapter, represented by his secretary, Dr. Franklin Abhulimen, as well as many other NGOs and other stakeholders.

At the programme, it was discussed that there are many mercury-free alternatives to amalgam that are effective, available, and affordable. Among such is composites, which the scientific studies show that it can last as long as amalgam, or even longer.

Also, glass ionomers, are safe for the environment and preserve healthy tooth structure. It has ability to seal, demineralize, and prevent future caries lesion formation.

While the compomers combined the advantage of resin composite and glass ionomers. Studies show that it has higher survival rate than amalgam.

In his address, Aneni said: “The objective of this event is to mark the civil society consensus to end amalgam use for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women in Edo State and other parts of the country.

“Phase down of dental amalgam will show that it is possible for a broad range of stakeholders to agree on a common goal, access various opportunities of support available from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).

“It will also put Nigeria as a leading nation in the African region, and to ensure a faster adoption of the phase down campaign in the region on such a way that no one is left behind.”

Brown, who has been at the forefront of phase down of dental amalgam globally expressed that his organization would ensure that the Minamata Convention on mercury in Kumamoto, Japan in 2013 in which Nigeria is a signatory to is achieved.

Similarly, Dr. Adogame, emphasized on the need to eradicate the menace completely because of its unfriendly effects in the society when dispose as waste. “Amalgam is more expensive when dispose to the environment.

“The real cost of dental amalgam filling can cost up to 587 more than an equivalent composite filling, after the full costs of each material is considered.”

Similarly, representatives of the Commissioners for health, and environment, Pastor (Mrs.) Alex Enunwaoyi, Assistant Director of nursing, and Godfrey Ehon, Director of environment elaborated on the Governor Godwin Obaseki led administration efforts to sustain the tempo of good health delivery to its citizens.

They emphasized that the state government would do all within its reach to ensure safer and healthier environment for the people of the state.