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Copyright © 2007
by the NADL
Journal of Dental Technology.
All rights reserved.

October 2007

The Most Prominent Health and Safety Issue in Dentistry Today

In light of recent articles, news coverage and sensationalism in the media regarding defects, material improprieties and health and safety issue with Chinese  imports (and others), it is important that every profession and industry step up and guard the health and safety of those they serve. They should not and can not put profit before patients. 

Recently, the  NADL issued a  press release to the media on its position paper that is has submitted to the Presidential Interagency Working Group on Import Safety for its meeting on Oct. 1 in Washington, D.C.  It may be viewed in it’s entirety here.

 The salient points are described here;

To protect public confidence in the industry, the association asserted that the FDA must act to protect Americans and:

• Promote certification of dental technicians employed at both domestic and foreign laboratories.

• Require that dentists label and disclose to patients the source of dental devices, so all dental-restoration products can be traced back to the laboratory that made them.

• Step up inspections of the content and quality of imported dental-restoration products.

• Mandate that dental laboratories register with the FDA or with state health departments.

• Require that dentists include the registration number of their contracting dental laboratory on a prescription that is kept in patients’ dental records; so that dental devices can be traced even long after they have been implanted in patients’ mouths.

“Such common-sense regulations are critical because in many cases, the dental technician – not the prescribing dentist – makes the selection of dental materials that will be used for a particular patient’s restoration,” said Bennett Napier, CAE co-executive director of the National Association of Dental Laboratories. “Without having some requirement for the person or manufacturer creating the device to have the appropriate knowledge and training, the issue of material selection and/or safety is left to chance.”

These are not difficult tasks to accomplish. It is the right thing to do, and for the right reasons. It focuses on patient health and safety and keeps the playing field level for all.  It is not protectionism or an advantaged position for domestic laboratories. It calls attention for all laboratories globally to serve and protect the well being of the ultimate end user. It is about health and safety of custom manufactured medical devices intended for permanent and transitional use in the human body.

Mark Murphy is a featured presenter for National Dental Network and President of the National Lab Network.  He served as the VP of Operations for DTI until taking a position as Director of Professional Relations at The Pankey Institute until taking on his current role.  Mark is active on the NADL’s Business Management Committee and is the Dentist Representative to the Identalloy Council.