For years, the FDA has marched arm in arm with the American Dental Association and unflinchingly maintained the joint position that mercury fillings are perfectly safe, despite ever increasing evidence to the contrary. But on June 3rd, they finally broke ranks. However, before you give a big round of applause to the FDA, understand that their statement was not voluntary. It resulted from the settlement of a lawsuit brought by the Mercury Policy Project, Mom's Against Mercury, Consumers for Dental Choice, et al. And although the statement itself was weak and highly qualified, it certainly represents a breaking of the ranks, and it absolutely signals the beginning of the end for amalgam fillings -- even if the ADA can't see it yet.

In a stunning move being celebrated by anti-mercury activists, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added a respected mercury-free dentist to its Dental Products advisory panel. Facing unprecedented calls to abolish mercury fillings—including a lawsuit by Moms Against Mercury—the FDA has sought the expert input of Dr. Michael Fleming DDS. Dr. Fleming is a member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), and will serve for three and one-half years as Consumer Representative on the panel. He will be responsible for representing consumer concerns before the Panel for any and all products used in dentistry.