Michael C. Goldman, DDS
Quackery ?
Anti-Mercury dentists have been called "Quacks" by some. Guess where that name came from......
There's an interesting website called "Quackwatch", perhaps you've noticed it. I noticed it because it came up second when I searched for "holistic dentistry" using the MSN search engine. Mine was third. Unfair, I know, but that's just how it is out there! I'll be fair. I'll even give him a free "plug":
"Holistic Dentistry"
... Mercury Amalgam Scam. " Holistic Dentistry": A Brief Overview ... Much of "holistic dentistry" is rooted in the activities of Weston A ...
www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/holisticdent.htmlOn that website there's a lot of opinion but not a lot of science. But that's ok, he's entitled... and to be honest, I believe he believes he's doing a public service. Furthermore, I partly agree with the author.... there is a lot of bogus info out there that is designed to scam the public that can be expensive and even downright dangerous ! So, that's good. People should be encouraged to question and think for themselves. I support that. So why am I writing this article? Because I think it's funny how words get thrown around and misused and misunderstandings get perpetuated.
Quack ! Why is that word used to suggest that a professional is a fake, a fraud, a sheister ....? The derogatory expression is used so easily, as if everybody gets the meaning and that it is self-evident. Well, guess what ! It ain't at all like that. Read on, this is an interesting tale. I promise. I'll even keep it short and sweet...
In the 1800's mercury+silver dental filling material (Amalgam) was developed, probably in Germany. Prior to that the only decent fillings were gold. The problem with gold was that it was difficult and took a lot of work to do and had to be done pretty well to work at all. That made it expensive. On the other hand, the new "amalgam" (which literally means "mixture") was quick and easy and could be done sloppily and yet still seemed to work. As a result fillings could be done very quickly and less expensively. The public was very happy to embrace it.
On the other hand, the organized dentists were against it. There were reports of health problems that were thought to be related to mercury use and the quality of these new fillings was often terrible plus many other related problems. Many dentists, and organized dentistry, in Germany, then England and finally in the US were almost up in arms against Amalgam use.
But since the public thought it was a bargain and seemed to do the job, they supported it and went to the dentists that offered it. McDentistry...? Sound familiar?
Anyway, those in the public as well as in the professional sectors that were against the use of amalgam fillings referred to it as "Quicksilver" fillings , from the common name of mercury, "quicksilver". After a time it became corrupted (?) into "Quacksilver fillings", then "Quacksilver" and finally, yes, you guessed it before my dramatic punchline..... The dentists that offered Quacksilver fillings were called ....Quacks !
I find that so fascinating, because now the ones (like me) that don't offer amalgam fillings are sometimes lumped together and called quacks. That's it folks. Hope you liked this little story as much as I do. If not, well, sorry I wasted your time! Let's go get a Big Mac and fries....and Supersize them, please!
*********************************************************************
PS: In case you are still mesmerized by my spellbinding storytelling and I let you crash too suddenly with the abrupt ending, I'll offer a bit more to let you cool down a bit more gradually.
In the US in the mid-1800's, there was an organization "American Society of Dental Surgeons" that was the representative body for organized dentistry as a profession. That society banned the use of amalgam fillings. If a dentist wanted to be a member he or she had to swear not to use amalgam.
Furthermore it was even considered grounds for a case of MALPRACTICE to use amalgam! But as I stated above, the public supported the dentists that offered amalgam so they prospered despite the efforts of organized dentistry and others opposed to amalgam use.
Before very long at all, the old guard died off and the new breed of amalgam-using dentists took their place and the American Society of Dental Surgeons collapsed. In its place came a new organization .... BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT AMALGAM USE WAS JUST FINE, THANK YOU! Can you guess the name of that organization????????????????? Yes, the present day ADA, the American Dental Association. Interesting, isn't it?
Well, this time that's really IT ! Hope you had fun!
This pamphlet was written in the hope that it will increase understanding about a topic that seems important from time to time. Obviously it is only a part of the whole story, so if you have questions after reading this please do not hesitate to ask or call. Also, if there is a topic that you think would be helpful, please suggest it.
Michael C. Goldman, DDS
General and Cosmetic Dentistry
3815 East-West Highway
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
Phone (301) 656-6171
More info about the following is available if you select "topics".
Holistic dentistry is an approach to dental treatment, primarily caring for patients' health and safety from both a conventional as well as "alternative healthcare" point of view. It is sometimes called "biological" dentistry or "biocompatible" dentistry. In it's fullest sense, I believe it acknowledges and deals with the mind, body and spirit of the patient, not just his or her "teeth". See Topics / Info.....
Cosmetic dentistry is about doing quality , esthetic dentistry in a way that looks natural to begin with, and furthermore, can even improve one's attractiveness through techniques such as bonding, bleaching, veneers, caps, implants and more. It can be like "instant orthodontics" in correcting crooked, twisted or misplaced teeth in many instances. Dark or mis-shapen teeth can be restored. Smiles that lack youthful vigor or beauty can be revitalized! See Topics / Info..
In holistic dentistry there is an effort to find biocompatible materials to use to reduce toxicity for everyone, especially the chemically sensitive. Amalgam use is avoided in holistic dentistry (" amalgam free" or "mercury free") due to concern about possible toxicity problems. Amalgam removal and replacement with natural-looking bonded materials is a common holistic dentistry treatment as well as a common cosmetic dentistry treatment. Detoxification, especially of residual mercury deposits in body tissues from amalgams is often done. Root canals are controversial in holistic dentsitry and are discussed under topics. And much more....
Bleaching, veneers, bonding, caps, bridges, and implants are cosmetic dentistry treatments that are also discussed in Cosmetic Dentistry, and more...
