Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition No. 7, 2016

05Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition | 7/2016 UK NEWS By DTI LONDON, UK: Limiting the use of amalgam in dentistry is a task that needs a combined effort by vari- ous actors in and outside of the health care sector, the organisers of a meeting of 50 senior oral leaders in London have agreed. However, by phasing down the material, the profession will have a rare opportunity for more pre- vention-focused oral health care in the future, they said. “I was very impressed by the commitment of the major dental communitystakeholdertoameas- urable, equitable and sustainable phase-down of dental amalgam use, as well as the recognition that ‘dentistry can’t do this alone’. This will need the engagement of other actors such as other health professions, the industry and most importantly civil society,” commented Julian Fisher, resource person for the United Nations Environment Programme Global Mercury Partnership Area on Waste Management. At the meeting, senior oral health leaders from around the globe came together to discuss pathways for reducing the use of amalgam not only in the UK but also on an international level. The conference took place in mid-July at King’s College London Dental Institute in cooperation with Newcastle University’s School of Dental Sciences and the University of Leeds’s School of Dentistry. In addition to presentations on phase-down case studies, such as the UNEP–WHO East Africa pro- ject, the multi-day event provided an overview of minimally invasive dentistry programmes. A particu- lar focus was on improved and newly developed materials and the impact the transition to these materials could have on the dental profession in the long run. “The complexity of something seemingly as simple as changing a material is remarkable,” said the Dental Institute’s Executive Dean, Prof. Dianne Rekow. “Indeed, this ‘simple’ change has ripple effects that change the philosophy and practice of dentistry, as well as the economies of health care.” “One of the most impressive features of the symposium was the willingness of the participants to explore the implications and interdependencies of the ripples and assertively work toward ﬁnd- ing ways to improve both the envi- ronment and health,” she stated further. Various initiatives have been implemented worldwide since representatives of over 190 coun- tries signed the Minamata Con- vention on Mercury in Japan three years ago, which agreed on a mer- cury ban in a variety of products, as well as a phase-out of amalgam. While its use in developing coun- tries is declining, the mercury- containing restorative remains the material of choice in develop- ing countries around the world. To you, it’s a healthy mouth. To your patients, it’s pure confidence. From the oral care experts at Sonicare, Philips Zoom can unleash a healthy white smile that boosts the confidence of your patients. • Whitens up to 6 shades in 1 hour* • Virtually no sensitivity** Introduce your patients to the trusted, healthy whitening of Philips Zoom. To order or book your free lunch & learn session call 0800 0567 222 or visit www.philips.co.uk/dentalprofessional *6% Whitening Gel Efficacy Test, US, 2013. **85% of 26 participants agreed they had no or minimal sensitivity during an in office treatment, 6% Whitening Gel Efficacy Test, US, 2013 ZOOM ADVERT.indd 1 22/07/2016 09:05 AD Amalgam phase-out discussed at London meeting Over 50 dental stakeholders attended the meeting in London. ©KCL,UK session call 08000567222 or visit ZOOM ADVERT.indd 122/07/201609:05

Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition No. 7, 2016

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