Evaluation of the Awareness of Turkish Dentists About Amalgam

Objectives: In the last two decades, concerns about mercury in amalgam fillings to adversely affect their health shifted resin composite based clinical practice. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the Turkish dentists' opinion about amalgam restorations after Minamata Convention.
Methods: Electronic survey was sent to the dentists in Turkey who are members of Turkish Dentists Association. Questions didn't involve personal datas. The survey consisted of 14 multiple choice and 2 open-ended questions about dental fillings. Data were analyzed statistically.
Results: A total of 1211 respondents (n=533;44% female;n=678;56% male) were analyzed;. 838 (69,2%) participiants do not routinely use amalgam. 860 (71%) participants had undergraduate training about resin composite placement in posterior teeth. About 664 (71,5), 23 (2,5%), 242 (26%) of the participiants used "resin composite", "glass ionomer/resin-reinforced glass ionomer", "any of these" ,respectively . Major percentage of dentists do not use amalgam fillings because of aesthetic reasons and patient requests. 456 dentists (37,7%) thought that amalgam presents no harm for both patient and dentist and 271 (22,4%) responded that amalgam presents harm for both patient and dentist. 1146 dentists (94,6%) pointed out that well-restorated amalgam restorations shouldn't be replaced with resin composite. 801 dentists (66,1%) indicated that amalgam usage as a final restoration must be stopped. 941 dentists stated that they follow the amalgam controversy from scientific documents while 721 dentists stated that they follow internet/personal coomunication.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, tooth colored restorative materials were popular among dentists participated in this study. Shifting to resin composite focused clinical practice has taken place among Turkish dentists.