WASHINGTON, April 20, 2011 /PR Newswire-US Newswire/ -- An amalgam of consumer groups today applauded a move by the U.S. government to support the 'phase down' of mercury amalgam dental fillings.

In a significant strengthening of a previous US Food & Drug Administration position, the new U.S. position was submitted to the "Mercury International Negotiation Committee." It calls for a "phase down, with the goal of eventual phase out by all Parties, of mercury amalgam."
In 2009, with U.S. leadership, the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Program, agreed to develop a global legally binding treaty on mercury. The goal is to complete negotiations before the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum in 2013.  
The State Department submission, for the upcoming third round of negotiations, also called for:

• "Educating patients and parents (about amalgam) in order to protect children and foetuses," and

• "Training of dental professionals on the environmental impacts of mercury in dental amalgams."

"This is consistent with the direction several nations have taken to phase out amalgam. The U.S. position marks the beginning of the end of amalgam globally," said Charlie Brown, national counsel of Consumers for Dental Choice.

Please contact BCD for original source material. More information may be found at:
www.toxicteeth.org
www.mercurypolicy.org

Dr. Ray Smallman finishing up at BCD

As many of you already know Ray will sadly be leaving BCD at the end of June. He and his wife will spend three months travelling around Europe and then return home to New Zealand. His last day in the practice is Tuesday June 28th. If you have any outstanding treatment or wish to have a check up with Ray, now is the time to book an appointment as places are filling up fast.

We will all miss Ray’s fun energy and enthusiasm at the clinic. Throughout his time with us he has helped many patients with his kindness and care and has been a very popular member of the BCD team. We all wish him the very best in his future endeavours He will, no doubt, be very successful in whatever he does!

Introducing Dr. Philip Glover

As one chapter ends, another begins... After an extensive period interviewing many dentists it is with great excitement that we welcome Dr. Philip Glover to BCD!  Philip graduated from the University of Sydney in 1981 and has had a wide and varied international career having practiced dentistry in some truly wonderful places around the world. These include 16 years in private practice in London followed by positions in Paris and the tropical paradise Seychelles.  

Upon his return to Australia in 2008 Philip worked in a holistic dental practice on the north coast of NSW before moving back to Sydney where he has since been working in private practice.

We welcome Philip’s vast array of experience and knowledge in dentistry and believe he will offer an invaluable service to BCD patients. His special interests include restorative and aesthetic dentistry. Philip will join the practice on Wednesday June 29.

Having recently cut down her time at BCD to 3 days a week Aushi is devoting more of her time to further education. In addition to recently receiving accreditation to prescribe Invisalign orthodontic treatment she will be attending some more courses over the next few months.

Aushi will also be travelling to America in August to attend the annual IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology) conference where she will begin her accreditation process with the Academy.

“The IAOMT Accreditation Program is the pathway to the future of dentistry. The medical and dental communities are finally coming to the realization that the oral cavity is indeed part of the body, and that dental health and therapy cannot be divorced from systemic health. Even patients are now demanding "qualified" or "specially trained" biocompatible dentists.”

“Accreditation by the IAOMT will certify to the public that a member has been trained and tested in the basics of biocompatible dentistry, including current methods for safe removal of dental amalgam.”

In this rapidly evolving field and approach to dentistry Aushi is very excited to have the opportunity to bring new research and knowledge back to BCD. Stay tuned to future newsletters where we’re sure she will share any new research and concepts she may have learnt!

At long last we are thrilled to announce the launch of our new look comprehensive website. You will find information about our clinic, practitioners and services. Check out the “Links & Resources” section for scientific research and some excellent web sites.
New patient forms can also be downloaded to streamline your visit. Any comments on user friendliness are welcome and appreciated.
Be sure to visit us at  www.bcd.com.au!