For the first time, mercury-free dentists and activists lead by the PA Coalition for Mercury-Free Dentistry openly challenged the American Dental Association’s (ADA) endorsement of mercury fillings with a demonstration at their annual meeting at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.
When Freya Koss, Philadelphia area resident and founder of the PA Coalition for Mercury- Free Dentistry learned that the ADA was coming into town, she quickly spun into action to be certain that the ADA would regret having chosen Philadelphia as the venue for their 146th conference. Koss, diagnosed with MS and Lupus following dental treatment with an amalgam filling in 1998, has worked relentlessly for nearly eight years to bring pubic awareness about ADA’s deceptive practices disguising the fact that amalgam fillings are really 50% mercury, a potent neurotoxin and serious health and environmental risk.
While thousands of attendees converged on the PA Convention Center at 12th and Arch Streets, 30+ activists seemed larger than life as they approached dentists from around the country warning of the dangers of mercury amalgam dental fillings. In bright green “Mercury Vapor” t-shirts, protesters handed out flyers including the ADA’s legal position abdicating their responsibility to protect the public:
"The ADA owes no legal duty of care to protect the public from allegedly dangerous products used by dentists. The ADA did not manufacture, design, supply or install the mercury containing amalgams. The ADA does not control those who do. The ADA's only alleged involvement was to provide information regarding its use." 1
Thus, the ADA abandoned the dentists and does not protect them against legal liability for using mercury, and has done nothing to safeguard the public.
TV cameras and news journalists joined the crowd as demonstrators carried 20 massive tooth shaped signs atop 7 foot poles with messages such as: “The ADA Needs a Cleaning,” “Mercury Destroys Lives” and Silver Fillings = 50% Mercury.” Mercury-Free dentists attempted to educate dentists about occupational risks from daily exposure to mercury. Passerby's were shocked to learn that their silver fillings were really 50% mercury, a potent neurotoxin.
1. Reference: Tolhurst v. J & J and ADA, Superior Court, Santa Clara, CA Case Nol 718228, 1995
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