Mercury-free dentistry

This refers to the news report, ‘PMDC, HEC join hands to revise medical curriculum’ (February 18). Earlier studies on mercury contamination in the air at dental sites in five cities of Pakistan and survey/review of three sets of curriculum offered to dental teaching institutions in the country have revealed the absence of topics related to health and environmental impacts resulting from exposure to mercury.
There is a need to teach and train upcoming professional dentists in non-mercury-based dental fillings, encapsulated and mechanical mixing methodologies, environmentally sound management of mercury-contaminated wastes at dental sites and health hazards to dental health staff arising from prolonged and continuous mercury exposure. The PMDC and HEC are recommended to include these and other relevant topics in the revised dental curriculum to safeguard public health.
Dr Mahmood A Khwaja
Islamabad