[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 83 (Thursday, June 20, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1111-E1112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         DENTAL AMALGAM SAFETY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. C.L. ``BUTCH'' OTTER

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 20, 2002

  Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support the continued 
recognition of Amalgam as a safe and appropriate material to be used in 
dental fillings.
  Numerous studies conducted by a diverse assortment of health research 
organizations including the National Institutes of Health, the World 
Health Organization, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Food and Drug 
Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all 
confirm that the use of Amalgam in dental fillings is safe. With the 
costs of healthcare already soaring it is important to protect those 
treatments that have a

[[Page E1112]]

proven track record of reliability and are cost effective for patients.
  Dentists have come to rely on the use of Amalgam as a harmless, 
dependable, and cost effective material with which to treat their 
patients and I believe the use of Amalgam should remain a viable option 
for dentists and their patients.

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