Randomized Controlled Trial Demonstrates that Exposure to Mercury from Dental Amalgam Does Not Adversely Affect Neurological Development in Children

Article Title and Bibliographic Information: Neurological outcomes in children with and without amalgam-related mercury exposure: seven years of longitudinal observations in a randomized trial. Lauterbach M, Martins IP, Castro-Caldas A, Bernardo M, Luis H, Amaral H, et al. J Am Dent Assoc 2008;139(2):138-45. Reviewer: J. Rodway Mackert, Jr., DMD, PhD. Purpose/Question: The purpose of this study was to determine whether dental restoration with amalgam has a deleterious effect on neurological development. Source of Funding: Government: This project was funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Cooperative Agreement grant U01 DE11894. Additional funding was provided by Center grant P30ES07033 and by Superfund Program Project grant P42ES04696 to the University of Washington from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Type of Study/Design: Randomized controlled trial. Level of Evidence: Level 1: Good quality, patient-oriented evidence. Strength of Recommendation Grade: Grade A: Consistent, good-quality, patient-oriented evidence.