How to Find a Mercury-Safe Dentist: Questions to Ask

The Best Way To Find A Mercury Safe Dentist

So you’re considering getting your mercury dental amalgam fillings removed, but before you choose a dentist to take care of this for you there are some things you should know to ensure it is done safely. Arm yourself with this list of questions and answers about what makes dentist mercury safe and you will go a long way to making sure you get the right dentist for the job.

Questions To Ask – Mercury Safe Dentist Yes or No

1. What does the dentist use for filling materials? 
   The answer should be a composite resin or a porcelain ceramic material.
2. When does the dentist use mercury/amalgam fillings?
   The answer needs to be NEVER.
3. What special protocols are used for the removal of mercury/amalgam fillings?
   You want to hear a list of the safety protocols and that the staff has been trained in them. Standard safety procedures include the use of a dental dam, two types of oral suction, a protective nasal oxygen source, specialised mercury air filtration, room ionizers for mercury vapours, and protective eyewear.
4. How does the dentist protect themselves and the staff during mercury/amalgam removal?
   The dentist and assistant(s) should wear special breathing masks to keep mercury vapours out, and head and body coverings to protect from mercury particulates.
5. Does the dentist use a dental dam during the removal of mercury fillings?
   The dental dam will significantly reduce the mercury vapour exposure, as well as reduce your chance of swallowing mercury particles.
6. Are there special techniques for removing large mercury/amalgams?
   Mercury fillings should be removed by quartering each filling into pieces. They may call this “chunking.” There should be a constant spray of copious amounts of water during the drilling process, with all suction in place.
7. What does the dentist do about the vapour collection in the treatment rooms?
   Mercury ionizer filters should be available to collect the mercury vapour in each treatment room.
8. What is done in the office to prevent the mercury from getting into the water supply?
   There are mercury collectors to keep the mercury from going into the municipal water. There are only a few cities in the country that have a mandate requiring dental offices to comply. This impacts and protects the environment. Does this office comply? The answer should be yes we have an amalgam separator device fitted to our office’s wastewater supply.
9. What precautions are taken so that the patient breathes clean air during mercury/amalgam removal?
   Breathing air from a nosepiece connected to breathing air or oxygen supply prevents you from breathing the mercury vapours during the removal procedure.
10. What water source is used for the water syringes and handpieces?
    A “closed water supply” is ideal because it uses only bottles of sterile water running through the syringes and handpieces.
11. Does the dentist use any form of dental material compatibility testing for sensitivity to the new materials to be used?  This can either a yes or no but it pays to ask what brand of filling they use. Here at Evolve Dental Holistic Mercury Safe Dentist Brisbane we only use a brand known as Admira as it is the safest material available.
12. Where did the dentist train on the protocol for safe mercury removal?
    Mercury-safe guidelines for dental offices and mercury safe removal protocol are not taught in dental school. The following are education sources for certification in safe mercury removal and also in creating a mercury safe dental environment: International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine, International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), Holistic Dental Association
13. Does the dental office support the patient seeing someone for mercury detoxification and nutritional support?
    Your dental doctor can remove the mercury from your teeth but may not able to directly address the importance of detoxification and nutritional support before, during and after mercury removal. In that case, ideally, he or she will work closely with allied physicians and other healing practitioners to coordinate these parts of the detoxification process.

You can rest assured that Dr Rachel Hall and the team at Evolve Dental Healing have trained under the IAOMT and follow all the latest procedures for safe mercury filling removal adhering to strict guidelines and protocol to protect you, themselves and the environment from exposure to mercury.

Call us today 07 3720 1811 and find out how we can support you to get your mercury fillings removed safely and effectively.

Mercury Safe Dentist Brisbane

Dr Rachel Hall has almost 30 years as a qualified dentist including 20 years specialising in Holistic Dentistry. She is a passionate industry leader who is a respected writer and speaker on the subjects of holistic dentistry and natural health.

Read more about safe amalgam removal