HB 2221 adds restrictions regarding chiropractic licenses and practices and amends certain actions the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners may take. A Strike-Everything amendment will be offered in the Retirement and Government Operations Committee to limit dentists’ use of mercury amalgam fillings.
Mercury amalgam fillings contain silver, tin, copper, zinc and mercury. Concern has been voiced that the mercury in these fillings is hazardous to people’s health. Low-grade chronic mercury intoxication can cause symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, headache and depression.
A Strike-Everything amendment will be offered to HB 2221 with the following provisions:
§
Prohibits dentists
from using mercury amalgam fillings on children under eighteen years of age,
women under 46 years of age and pregnant women.
§
Requires dentists to
inform patients, prior to their use of mercury amalgam fillings, of the
intended use, optional materials for dental procedures and potential advantages
and disadvantages of mercury amalgam fillings that relate to health and human
biological or environmental issues.
§
Requires dentists to
post warnings about the dangers of mercury exposure in mercury amalgam fillings
in a public area of their dental office as pursuant to the rules adopted by the
Board of Dental Examiners.
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45th Legislature
Second Regular Session 2 March
19, 2002
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