Hi,

I understand you feel pretty strongly that the amalgums dentists use are safe. Actually, my answer is a question back to you: what makes you think that one of the most toxic metals can be safely placed into a mouth, but even the dentists and their assistants must handle it carefully? If you do even just a *little* research, you will be overwhelmed with not only studies, but also case history after case histroy showing the problems amalgums may cause, and in many cases the dramatic improvements in health following their removal. It is up to the FDA and AMA to show, with their double-blinded studies, and scientific protocols, that amalgums are safe, yet strangely, they refuse to do so. Read that again: they refuse to do so! They claim their are many studies, but produce none. And if you look at the history of how mercury came to be placed in people's mouths, and that it had nothing to do with safety, but financial reasons, then again I ask you, what makes you think amalgums are safe?

In point of fact, the term "quack" as applied to doctors, began when dentists in the late 1800's began using quicksilver, otherwise known as "quacksilver," in place of the more traditional and expensive gold fillings. The "quacks" were the ones using the mercury. This is actually the origin of the term. After a huge upheaval in the dental world in which those using amalgum split from those opposing it, the ADA was born and with it the idea that amalgums were safe. No proof. No studies. No evidence (other than it didn't seem to kill people in the chair). But meanwhile the mercury amalgums released small amounts of horrific poison, over time, to each patient. Every bite, every breath, every swallow, a small dose of mercury delivered to the unwitting recipient, causing myriad apparently unrelated problems for which there seemed to be no cure. And the darn thing about slow poisoning, is that it takes, yes, TIME for its effects to show up. And the effects vary from person to person as well, further clouding the issue.

Yet when Dr. Hal Huggins came on the scene, removing amalgums and his patients often experiencing dramatic health improvments, this posed a problem for people promoting amalgum. The answer? Ignore it. Claim it's safe. Shush the ones claiming it's a problem.

"Dentists and Scientists wouldn't do that in good conscience!"

I won't go into why people do what they do, but would it interest you to know that amalgums are being banned in other parts of the world, that supposedly safe mercury-based preservatives in vaccines are being banned and phased out. It doesn't take a genius to see that if amalgums *do* cause the problems we claim they do, that there would be a rupture of the dental world and mahem, financial bankruptcies and lawsuits against dentist after dentist and the failing of insurance companies. Let's face it, dentistry is big business, and the truth of what amalgums actually do would destroy the dental industry if the truth were told plainly and honestly. Think about it, while you're trying to find your proof that amalgums are harmless.

We absolutely welcome your questions and ideas, and it seems obvious by your questions and response that you have not had to deal with this issue. For many, thankfully, amalgums do not cause life-debilitating problems; but alas, for others, it is a serious issue. Please continue to ask questions, but simply claiming there are so many studies showing amalgums are safe really only shows you have not done your research.

You specifically asked about the "quality of our evidence" (besides the testimonials, which every scientist know is bunk, right?). Here are 3 references for you to consider:

It's All in Your Head, by Dr. Hal Huggins (founder, pioneer of this movement)
Whole Body Dentistry, by Dr. Mark Breiner (great website too)
Uninformed Consent: Episode 1 - Mercury, A Slow Death, produced by Christy Diemond
(shows mercury vapor coming off a filling after many years--you need to see this)

Then there's always the famous Google and search on Amazon, and other searches you know about.

Good luck, and thanks for the questions. We can't grow without skepticism.