TheWealthyDentist.com conducted a survey to determine how dentists think current buzz about BPA research will impact their practices. BPA is short for bisphenol A, an organic compound found in a vast number of plastic products, including baby bottles, dental sealants, and dental composites. BPA acts similarly to estrogen and may provoke chronic toxicity in humans. Because of new research, BPA has become a point of controversy and concern. According to TheWealthyDentist.com survey, a significant number of dentists are concerned about the negative publicity – and rightfully so, as it comes on the heels of the toxic Chinese dental work reports.
What’s Up with BPA Research
BPA research has been conducted since the 1930s, so concern is nothing new. In a 2007 research report, available in pdf here, scientists noted that average BPA levels in humans exceed the levels that cause problems in animal experiments. In fact, the National Institute of Health stated that there was “some concern” regarding fetal and infant neurological development and behavior. The National Toxicology Program agreed in 2008 and added that BPA exposure affects the prostate and mammary glands and can induce early puberty in females. For pregnant women, exposure to BPA can cause fetal death, birth defects, and/or reduced birth weight.
The National Toxicology Program has asked the FDA to investigate and review information provided by a Canadian report released in April 2008. The word from the FDA is that, based on current research, consumer products contain a safe level of BPA. The ADA released a formal statement quoting the official FDA report.
You can learn more about BPA research at wikipedia.org.