An EU Commission study has opened the way to phasing mercury out of dentistry. A new study recommends phasing out dental amalgam use in the next five years, while improving enforcement of existing EU waste legislation. The EU and member states will now consider this recommendation. 

A Comprehensive Dental Reform Act has been introduced into both Houses of the US Congress. It has been described as ‘the most sweeping legislation ever to address the national crisis in dental care’ and has the intention ‘to help extend good oral health to all Americans’. 

Colorado (USA) state health officials have warned thousands of patients of a Denver-area dentist to get tested for HIV and hepatitis after it was revealed that he reused dirty needles on patients for 12 years. According to local reports. Dr. Stephen Stein used the same IV syringes to put different patients to sleep during surgeries conducted between September 1999 and June 2011.