10/20/2014 Amalgam - Oregon Dental Association

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Amalgam

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ADA Statement on Dental Amalgam

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New laws require dentists to follow ODA Best Management Practices and install

amalgam separators

A new state law (Senate Bill 704) took effect Jan. 1, 2008, and subsequently was revised in 2009 (HB 3611),

requiring Oregon dentists who place or remove mercury-containing materials from the oral cavity to install a

separator. (i.e. amalgam restorations placed or removed, and extracted teeth with amalgam where the tooth is cut

through amalgam.) The law also requires all Oregon dentists to be in compliance with ODA’s Best Management

Practices (BMPs).

How does this new requirement affect you?

If your practice doesn’t place or remove dental amalgam or other dental materials containing mercury,

you most likely will not have to install an amalgam separator. One exception may be if during tooth

extraction a dentist cuts through amalgam. You still need to install a separator.

Jan. 1, 2010 is the date when all dental offices were required to install amalgam separators in their

offices.

If you are building a new office or operatory, amalgam separators are required in all new dental office

construction after Jan. 1, 2008.

All Oregon dentists must comply with the ODA's BMP's (Best Management Practices for Dental

Waste). Check out the Dental Waste Recycling Information below.

Related Links:

What to do if you are not currently certified in compliance with ODA Best Management Practices

Elements to consider when installing amalgam separators

Dental Waste Recycling Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Mercury/ Amalgam Collection - no longer free but still available at local waste facilities.

Full text of Senate Bill 704

Full text of House Bill 3611

If dental offices or waste water districts have questions regarding Senate Bill 704/ House Bill

3611 or the ODA BMP program certification, they may contact any of the following for assistance:

Marney Jett, Clean Water Services, 503.681.5124, jettm@cleanwaterservices.org

Brett Hulstrom, City of Portland, BES, 503.823.7807, Brett.Hulstrom@portlandoregon.gov

Association of Clean Water Agencies, Janet Gillaspie, 503.236.6722, gillaspie@oracwa.org

League of Oregon Cities, 503.588.6550 or 800.452.0338, www.orcities.org

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Kevin Masterson, 503.229.5983 ext 260, masterson.kevin@deq.state.or.us

Oregon Dental Association, Beryl Fletcher, 503.218.2010,

800.452.5628 bfletcher@oregondental.org

*The Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies, Oregon DEQ, Oregon Dental Association, the

League of Oregon Cities, and the Oregon Board of Dentistry have collaborated to assist dentists

and water districts in efforts to comply with Senate Bill 704.

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