Dutch dentists' conceptions of dental silver amalgam.

Abstract

A sample of 468 dentists completed a questionnaire on their conceptions of amalgam. A minority (1-3%) reported that amalgam often causes toxic, galvanic and/or allergic side-effects. A considerably larger number (10-30%) stated that such side-effects 'sometimes' occur, while less respondents (6-11%) said they did not know. 60-80% said that such side-effects do not exist, or rarely. If a patient requested the removal of amalgam, one-third of dentists would do so often for cosmetic or toxic reasons, but only one-fifth in the case of a proven allergy. A very substantial percentage would not remove amalgam except for cosmetic reason. Substantial minorities thought that amalgam should not be used for pregnant women or children, or admitted that they did not know. The use of amalgam was rejected by 5%, while 9% could not decide whether they were for or against its use. Multivariate analysis reveals the existence of two dimensions in the data. The first dimension, referred to as "acceptance-of-amalgam", makes it possible to distinguish a subsample (about 9%) consisting of "rejectors-of-amalgam". On the second dimension, referred to as "conviction", a subsample (almost 20%) of "doubters" can be discerned, alongside "convinced adversaries" (about 4%) and "convinced advocates" (some 25%). The majority of the respondents are thought to be more or less in favour of the use of amalgam.