Interesting article.
Do note study limitations when reading though.
Just posted as I thought some might be interested in this.

BMC Neurology
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2377/7/24/abstract
BMC Neurology 2007, 7:24 doi:10.1186/1471-2377-7-24
Published - 8 August 2007

Abstract (provisional)
High prevalence of extrapyramidal signs and symptoms in a group of Italian
dental technicians
Edito Fabrizio, Nicola Vanacore, Marcella Valente, Alfonso Rubino,Giuseppe Meco.


Provisional Full Text pdf...
http://www.biomedcentral.com/content...-2377-7-24.pdf

High prevalence of extrapyramidal signs and symptoms in a group of Italian
dental technicians

Edito Fabrizio, Nicola Vanacore, Marcella Valente, Alfonso Rubino,Giuseppe Meco.

Hi Lara,
Very interesting information, thanks for posting it!

A few years ago, I received a letter in the mail from an attorneys office which was actually part of a mass mailing that went out to registered and certified dental assistants in NJ (and??) requesting us to complete the enclosed forms which had to do with similar subject matter to what you have posted. Having been in dentistry for 30 years, I can without a doubt tell you that those of us who have been exposed to mercury vapors for so many years, mercury being just one of many toxic substances, now personally deal with an assortment of vague (or severe) autoimmune issues. It is my personal experience as well as many of my peers, that they seem to manifest in many of us at midlife........ when our bodies are going into the change of life.

I cannot tell you how over exposed we all were to the mercury especially in those early years as we use to mix the filling material by hand, without the protection of gloves or masks. The dental materials used then on a routine basis were extremely toxic when inhaled. To this day, every time we assist the dentist with any mercury placement or removal, we are exposed to the toxic vapors.

Fortunately, the public is becoming aware of the toxicity which is allerting the dental profession to take deliberate precautions during mercury removal. Currently, there are no laws in most states making it mandatory to perform these percautions and of course, there are still many foolish dentists who still place mercury fillings and take no precautions to protect themselves, their staff or their patients from the toxicity of it.

There are many other toxic substances used in dentisty along with mercury. However, the popularity of Biological dentists (dentists who have taken additional schooling to learn about the toxicities and use more bio-compatible material) are increasing as the public becomes more aware and demands safer. less toxic forms of dental care.

Again, thanks for posting this informative piece of news!
Bryanns

Interesting post. Thanks, Bryanna.

I worry about countries other than the US and similar. I know we're still a bit backward here in Australia in some areas. It wasn't all that long ago that dentists would look at me as if I was crazy woman because I wouldn't allow an amalgam filling in either of my children. These days they actually point out on signs that they use other types of substances.

The places I really have to wonder about are the ones who haven't caught up yet where they would still be using the cheapest and easiest methods. I've also often wondered about radiologists too but that's a whole other story. lol