For the first time patients rallied to confront the thousands of national, military and international dentists attending the annual meeting of the American Dental Association here in Philadelphia on Friday, October 8, 2005. Most dentists, walked past, their heads still in the sand. They refuse to believe that their national organization would allow them to continue to place a toxic material (mercury) in patients' mouths. They adhere to the doctrine espoused by the ADA that once combined with the other metals, these fillings which are 50% mercury (the second most toxic substance - plutonium being first - known to exist) become inert. Many dentists however were willing to listen and were intrigued to understand that the ADA is now telling dentists that the drain lines of their office buildings are extremely contaminated. This now supports information given to me about eight years ago by Carol Browner, then EPA director under Pres. Clinton, that dental offices, when sold, will be Toxic Waste Sites that need to be handled by authorized environmental firms ( http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/amalgam_plumbing_guidelines.pdf )

Let me see if I have this correct doctor: You can place mercury fillings in patients' heads, and your ADA tells you it's safe. But if you have scrap mercury filling material left over, doctor, be sure not to flush it down the drain, and, you'd be best storing it in a tightly sealed, glass jar, UNDER ANTI-FREEZE. Well I wouldn't even think about those consequences doctor, but look at all the patients gathered around, who want you to get your head out of the sand and start thinking!

If you find the information on this page intriguing, please visit website:http://www.cent4dent.com/html/mercury_issues/mi1.html


The main intended impact of this protest was to convey to dentists that mercury is effecting the lives of patients. Many of the protesters were there because they had been diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis, Myesthenia Gravis, Bi-Polar disorder, and a myriad of auto-immune diseases with no firm diagnosis other than the fact that they had neurologic and connective tissue disorders. Speakers gave testimony to the fact that once their mercury fillings had been removed properly (there is a right and a wrong way to do it), their symptoms had disappeared.

This rally was organized by Freya Koss, a local out-spoken "survivor" of "toxic teeth". Her dramatic story can be read at: http://www.toxicteeth.org/forms/mainLineToday.pdf . She did quite a job organizing and providing press coverage of the protest. The keynote speaker on Friday morning was Gen. Colin Powell. The thousands of dentists leaving his address around 9:30 had to walk right past us to get into the meeting hall. What tremendous planning!

Remember the character "The Mad Hatter" from Alice in Wonderland? I met Norrie, a woman from Connecticut with Mad Hatter's Disease. In older times, mercury was used to treat the felt in hats. Norrie's website, chronicles her 16 years of hospitalizations for this bi-polar disorder, up to the discovery of her mercury poisoning, culminating with her psychiatrist clearing her as having returned to normal once her mercury fillings had been properly removed. Her story is compelling, and her website includes a great, two-part powerpoint to give many of the dentists whose heads are in the sand, the research they might require to alter their "stinking thinking". Please be sure to visit http://www.madhattersyndrome.com/page2.htm

At 10:30, the "Truth March" moved to the City Council Chambers of Philadelphia City Hall, a magnificent edifice that was about six blocks from the protest march. The press conference was well-attended and hosted by Charles Brown, the executive director of Consumers for Dental Choice (and former Attorney General of West Virginia). There is a wealth of information available at their website http://www.toxicteeth.org .

There were many great speakers, the context of their talks will be included below. By far, the most exciting information for me was from Councilwoman at-large Blondell Reynolds Brown, who has introduced Bill 040904 to City Council. As a consequence of this bill's passage, dental offices in Philadelphia will be mandated to equip mercury separators to remove mercury from waste waters before they contaminate the sewer systems of the city further (for more information, check out the website of www.drna.com which makes the separator on my office). Mrs. Reynolds Brown's bill seeks to help consumers make informed decisions about the fillings being placed in their mouths, and their children's mouths. There will be a boilerplate form which dentists will be mandated to give to anyone who is having a mercury filling placed.

She stated that mercury in fillings is the "domain of children and low-income families." She seeks to get insurance cooperation to make lives healthier. She also fervently made the statement that the ADA must examine the gag rule which prevents dentists from entering into earnest discussions about mercury without fear of sanction. She also stated that she wanted the ADA to stop calling them "silver" fillings. "Use the M word," she exclaimed!

WHAT WAS ONCE A GOAL AS LOFTY AS THE CEILING OF COUNCIL'S CHAMBERS, OR THE HAT ATOP WILLIAM PENN'S HEAD ON CITY HALL MAY SOON BE A REALITY - WE MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS YESTERDAY!
Simultaneous with our rally, the American Academy of Pediatrics was meeting in Washington, DC and protesters were there, as well, to get thimerisol removed from vaccines. One good link about this is located at http://autismcoach.com/Rolling%20Stone%20Autism%20Article.htm

Dr. Richard Fisher stated that newborns get more mercury from mom's fillings giving off mercury vapor than from vaccines in the first 5 years of life. That dentists feel that having mercury in the human body, just inches from the brainstem is ludicrous. He listed many countries where mercury fillings have been banned, or where advisories have been issued against the use thereof. He stated that 75% of mercury waste in waterways originates from dental offices (our office recycled 4 POUNDS of mercury last year through our separators rather than spewing this waste out and becoming a bioburden).

Dr. Mark Geier - expert on mercury and autism from NIH and Hopkins - his book has led to six states banning thimerisol. Stated that only plutonium is more toxic in parts per million. Spoke about "mercurism" a condition that led to the dementia of Roman slaves working in Spanish mines. Stated that the problems with mercury in fish derives from dental offices; how else did the mercury get into the water?

Dr. David Geier - biochemist with expertise in mercury and heavy metal toxicity. Stated that researchers cannot show a half-life for mercury in neural tissue. Conclusion: the body cannot break down mercury and remove it.

Dr. Rashid Buttar - a physician from Charlotte, NC who treats autism, chronic illness, and mercury toxicity. He has a program for detoxifying children with autism. There is a 15 month waiting list to get into his program. He stated that when born, the child has no way to excrete Hg and immediately is given a Hepatitis B vaccine. Questioned why Hep B when Hep B only effects the sexually promiscuous, IV drug users, and medical workers. Two boosters are given again in the first year.

Arthur Stomalis - Pennsylvania Clean Air Council - was outraged that dentists continue to use amalgam. Stated that separators should be mandatory across the entire country. Pennsylvania's government plans to be a leader among states on this battle.

For a list of helpful links please visit this page on my site, which should be updated by October 15th, 2005. http://www.cent4dent.com/html/mercury_issues/links.html

Steve Markus, DMD FACE
209 White Horse Pike
Haddon Heights, NJ 08035
856 546 0665
www.cent4dent.com