The Association spoke well of and acclaimed the new language on dental amalgam that is on offer by the U.S. government in international mercury treaty negotiations.
This is an important feature of the State Department to ensure that the health of the public and issues concerning it are brought to the forefront and discussed in depth. This goes a long way in showing the willingness of the United States government to incorporate those considerations in this submission as was stated by the ADA President Raymond F. Gist in his letter dated April 7.
The thrust this time round has been on the proposed treaty which will go on to serve as a measure of conduit to go on to promote the prevention programs, in that way driving down the demand for all restorative materials.
The second session of the United Nations Environment Program Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee is going to go ahead and prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury (INC2). This meeting was held Jan. 24-28 in Chiba, Japan. INC3 negotiations are scheduled for October in Africa.
The Association requested U.S. negotiators to give the Food and Drug Administration the pilot responsibility on issues relating to dental amalgam. This is one extremely important public health issues involved. The FDA regulates dental amalgam as a medical device.
The thing that does need to be noted is that dental amalgam is a health care product and such products should be addressed in any treaty separately from commercial products was what was stated by the Association said. We show appreciation of the U.S. recognition that dental amalgam may be best addressed in a separate operative paragraph in any treaty document.
The negotiation needs to be on dental amalgam and mercury-added products and mercury wastes. The need of the hour is the phasing out of all mercury linked products and in its place development and availability of affordable, viable alternatives for dental procedures.