The IADR Policy and Position Statements on Safety of Dental Amalgam
By K.J. Scholz, F. Cieplik, G. Schmalz, N. Dame-Teixeira, H. Priya, L.M.A. Tenuta, M.K.S. Charles-Ayinde, C. H. Fox
Originally at journals.sagepub.com
Summary & scoring by The Bell Brief (Dr. Jennifer Bell) using the Drill-Down Protocol (Drill-Down Score) — not the original publisher.
Why it matters for dental
The IADR’s new amalgam policy statement gives dental practices an authoritative, evidence-based stance they can cite in patient conversations, staff training, and risk-management documentation; owners and associates who rely on amalgam for cost-sensitive or high-stress posterior restorations now have a peer-reviewed reference to defend its continued use.
Key points
- Position statement published in Journal of Dental Research (July 2026) reaffirms amalgam’s 150-year record of safety and cost-effectiveness for load-bearing restorations.
- Statement explicitly addresses clinical scenarios where amalgam remains the preferred material when moisture control is compromised or when longevity outweighs esthetics.
- Policy is positioned to counter emerging state or insurer restrictions; practices can reference IADR language in appeals or compliance packets.
- No phase-out timeline is announced, but clinics using amalgam should update consent forms and inventory policies to align with this formal endorsement.
Who should care
Read the original on Journal of Dental Research (JDR)
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