A long time activist and DAMS coordinator for the State of California, Susan suffered for many years from life-threatening mercury amalgam induced Lupus. Having recovered completely after removal of amalgams and detoxification, Susan has been committed to educating the public, networking with the media, and has assisted in organizing political and activist events in the state of California.
Anita Vasquez Tibau
A tireless and extraordinarily effective organizer, Anita Vasquez Tibau, as CDC's California Grassroots Director, has been instrumental in bringing together attorneys, victims, a documentary filmmaker and scientists to fight for an end to mercury in dental fillings. She was instrumental in the action of the CA Consumer Protection Agency shutting down the California Dental Board as well as fighting for Prop 65 legislation and Informed Consent in the state of CA.
Illinois:
Linda Brocato LindaBrocato@aol.com
After having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis more than 20 years ago followed by 10 years of mild to severe relapses after mercury amalgam removal, Linda's MS symptoms finally ceased and became non-existent. Despite being wheelchair bound, as a DAMS coordinator she shares her knowledge and compassion with others who suffer from dental amalgam mercury illness, lobbies legislators and has assisted in coordinating state and community events related to the health hazards of amalgam.
Link to interview on dentalproducts.net
Karen Truskowski klt723@webtv.net
A 1991 article in "Let's Live Magazine" and the 60 Minutes program "Poison in Your Mouth," alerted Karen that the illnesses she had suffered with most of her adult life including chronic fatigue, allergies, fibromyalgia, headaches, digestive problems, ringing in the head and allergies were actually symptoms of mercury poisoning from dental amalgam fillings. Removing her fillings and root canalled teeth along with a detoxification program resulted in full recovery. As an Illinois DAMS coordinator and volunteer for Consumers for Dental Choice, she shares her knowledge by educating, networking, lobbying and coordinating community and state events.
Link to interview on dentalproducts.net
Iowa:
Mary Davis
A DAMS coordinator who was diagnosed with MS and has recovered from many of the symptoms of the disease with amalgam removal. Mary wrote and published "Solving the Puzzle of Mystery Syndromes" which is used nationally to educate dental consumers.
Joyce Van Haaften jevh@earthlink.net
An Iowa activist who has recovered from amalgam poisoning. She successfully spearheaded the challenge to the state dental board "gag order" on dentists which prohibited them from discussing the dangers of mercury amalgam with dental consumers. Upon advice of the Iowa Attorney General, the rule was rescinded.
Maine:
Pam and Tom Anderson, DMD
Pam and Tom Anderson, DMD have been active in the state of Maine in trying to have an Informed Consent bill passed, first in 1996, the "Act To require Informed Consent when using mercury in a dental procedure," which was not passed. Their relentless efforts played a principal role in having the current, Maine Bill 1409, "An Act to Address the Health Effects of Mercury Fillings" introduced and passed. They worked closely with Senator Michael Michaud, now a Congressman, in organizing support for the legislation. Without their dedication the movement in Maine would not have been brought to fruition.
New Hampshire:
Rosie Cronin
New Hampshire is the first state in the nation to pass a law requiring dentists to notify patients about the risks of mercury fillings, alternative materials, and installation of amalgam separators reducing dental mercury pollution. DAMS' coordinator, Rosie Cronin's unrelenting position and close work with State Representative Hal Lynde, primary sponsor of Bill HB 1251, made possible the passing of this bill, which also requires a brochure giving strong warning and caution in using mercury amalgam fillings for children 6 and under. Propelled into activism after having suffered extensively from mercury poisoning, Rosie's initiative has tipped the iceberg in New Hampshire.
Oregon:
Sandra Duffy sandyduffy@comcast.net
Enlisted the ACLU to successfully challenge the Board of Dentistry "gag rule" which, upon advise of the Attorney General, was rescinded. Oregon also has a strong bill being lobbied in the legislature which prohibits amalgam in children under 19 and fertile women, bans amalgam in 2008, requires informed consent and requires amalgam separators. The Bill has been promised a Senate hearing.
CDC joins with Oregonians for Life & OR Center for Environmental Health to Crumble Gag Rule in Oregon , May 11, 2005
MEMORANDUM OF LAW - The Minnesota Board of Dentistry Violates Free Speech Rights of Mercury-Free Dentists, May 29, 2004
Response to WSDA testimony at Washington State Senate's Health & Long Term Care Committee, January 30, 2003
Mercury-Free Dentists and Anti-Mercury Activists Respond to the ADA
LC 258, December 20, 2002 (PDF file)
Consumers for Dental Choice Flyer, September 10, 2002 (PDF file)
NOTE: all PDF files require the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Please use the link below to download the current version:
Jeff Clark
After suffering for 11 years from CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue & Immune Disorder Syndrome), a
condition that officially has "no known cause, and no known cure," Jeff discovered that his
chronic illness was due to mercury from dental fillings. He has helped hundreds of people
through his internet site www.cfsn.com and its Metals discussion group. The outreach ability
and education provided to the public through the discussion group is fathomless. Jeff generously
provided CDC with it's first website, and continues to share his expertise and knowledge with
the public at large.
Pennsylvania:
Freya Koss is the founder and President of the PA Coalition for Mercury-Free Dentistry, a grassroots organization dedicated to bringing public awareness about the health and environmental risks of mercury in dentistry. Providing guidance and inspiration to consumers, she also advocates for informed consent, assistance for the underprivileged and legislative reform to abolish the use of mercury amalgam dental fillings.
Working with Philadelphia Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, she and several other Pennsylvania activists were successful in having the Use of Mercury in Dentistry Bill No. 040904 introduced calling for "informed consent" patient brochures explaining the potential dangers of amalgam fillings and mandating the installation of amalgam separators in every dental office to catch the mercury at its source before entering the wastewater plants. THE BILL IS TO BE HEARD IN CITY COUNCIL ON MAY 30, 2007.
Freya, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus and Myasthenia Gravis, discovered in 1998 that she was actually mercury poisoned from the dental work she had received. Disbelief quickly hardened into determination motivating her to become an activist dedicated to education and the abolishment of mercury in dentistry. She organized the first U.S. public symposium at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School about the health hazards of amalgam, has testified at government hearings both abroad and in the U.S, lobbies for legislative reform, disseminates information internationally, and works closely with Dental Amalgam Mercury Syndrome, Inc. (DAMS) and Consumers for Dental Choice, for which she worked as Director of Development until 2005.
During her 20-year career in corporate, private and non-profit event coordination, research and fundraising, she worked with the National Museum of American Jewish History, the Annenberg Performing Arts Center and Dance Affiliates at the University of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Maritime Museum, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society.
Grateful for the support and guidance she received from professionals and consumers at the onset of her illness, she is committed to helping others regain their hope and health and changing the paradigm of dentistry. FreKoss@aol.com
Washington State:
Mary Ann Newell bullelkman@aol.com and Ann Clifton
are lobbying a bill, with a strong core group of other activists, through the state legislature
which will require informed consent for the placement of amalgam and also requires amalgam
separators in dental offices. Clifton orchestrated an informative Senate hearing which,
hopefully, will result in the issue being brought to the Senate for a vote. Newell was the
national administrator to collect comments opposing the FDA Proposed Rule which would have
classified mercury amalgam as a safe restorative dental material. Both became activists
after recovering from mercury amalgam illness.
April 1, 2006 Gov. Chris Gregoire (Washington) signed a bill barring vaccines containing mercury, cheers to Mary Ann Newell's work
January 31, 2003 "Lawmakers asked to get the mercury out" Bill would restrict use of the metal in dental practices
