Oral Health and Dental Management

Mercury toxicity in oral care

30^th Annual Conference on Dental Practice and Oral Health

September 18-19, 2017 Hong Kong

Meera Choudhary

Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, India

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Oral Health Dent Manag

Abstract:

Amalgam which contains mercury as one of the component is being used in dentistry as a restorative material for the last 150 years. Recently the concern has been raised in view of mercury toxicity. Mercury is found in the earth's crust and is ubiquitous in the environment, so even without amalgam restorations everyone is exposed to small amount of mercury in blood and urine. Mercury is known to cause psychological, neurological and immunological health problems. Dental amalgam restorations may raise these levels slightly. The main exposure to mercury from dental amalgam occurs during placement or removal of restoration in the tooth. Though in current era amalgam has been replaced by other safer restorative material but still so many dentists readily use this hazardous material with the assurances that it is perfectly safe and harmless. This poster will highlight the effects of mercury on environment and health and safe handling of mercury to reduce its toxicity and also discusses other alternative materials which can be used in its place.

Biography :

Meera Choudhary has completed her Bachelor of Dental Science degree from Patna University. She has also pursued a course in Health Care and Waste Management from IGNOU University in India. She has been looking after Bio-Medical Waste Management as a Medical Officer In-charge in Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences in India since 20 years. She has attended various conferences and presented papers related to Bio-medical waste management.