FORMOCRESOL USE IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Another formaldehyde based dental material that is little known to the public and used in pediatric dentistry is formocresol (definition).  Formocresol generally contains 19% formaldehyde, much higher concentration than Sargenti Paste type formulations. The trade name for this material is Buckley's Formocresol. The formocresol is soaked in cotton pellets and then placed in contact with the circulatory system through the open crown of the tooth; literally on a live wound. This procedure is also known to be called a "baby root canal".

Because there are safer and equally effective alternatives available, the Sargenti Opposition Society holds a position and recommendation against the use of this material on children or adults.  Serious cases of damage followed by concealment of its use have been documented followed by light disciplinary action (see example).  We suggest that you specifically ask your dentist is they use formocresol and make an informed decision of whether or not you will allow it to be used on you or your child.  Should it be used and an injury occur, immediate treatment is necessary to avoid permanent harm.

NOT JUST A DENTAL ISSUE

Although not a dental case, the following demonstrates that formaldehyde should not be put into any part of a living body and also shows the medical and legal implications of of its inappropriate use in medicine. A woman was injected in her foot with Formalin (formaldehyde) that had inadvertently been mixed with other agents and consequently was left with permanent numbness and pain. A lawsuit was filed.

EUROPEAN UNION BANS FORMALDEHYDE USAGE

Several European countries restrict the use of formaldehyde, including the import of formaldehyde-treated products and embalming, and the European Union is considering a complete ban on formaldehyde usage (including embalming), subject to a review of List 4B of the Technical Annex to the Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the Evaluation of the Active Substances of Plant Protection Products by the European Commission Services. Countries with a strong tradition of embalming corpses, such as Ireland and other colder weather countries, have raised concerns.

The European Union has decided on the date September 22 2007 to ban formaldehyde use throughout Europe, because of its carcinogenic properties. (Link)

Formocresol chemical spill at dentist office causes need for hospital treatment. Less than one ounce spill of a material used in our childrens mouth by pediatric dentists. (link)

Accidental fatal formaldehyde poisoning (link)

Is Multiple System Atrophy, a fatal neurological disorder, tied to formaldehyde exposure? "One patient with multiple system atrophy confirmed by postmortem evaluation was exposed to high concentrations of malathion, diazinon, and formaldehyde" (link)

Formaldehyde exposure is linked to Lou Gehrig's Disease (link). Why would any dentist put a patient in harm's way of these types of horrible diseases? What patient would knowingly and willingly allow it?