Bangladesh Goes First in Asia to Identify and Recognize ‘Mercury Free Dental Chamber’

On 28 January, 2018 Environment and Social Development Organization and Bangladesh Dental Society in collaboration with World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry and Asian Center for Environmental Health  inaugurated the inauguration program of  ‘Mercury-Free Dental Chamber’ identification and recognition as a part of their vibrant campaign to ban mercury from dentistry in Bangladesh.

The inauguration program started by recognizing a dental chamber named ‘Dental Center’ in the capital city Dhaka  as  ‘Mercury-Free’.  Dr. Md. Mosharrof Hossain Khandker, the principal dentist of the dental chamber was provided with a sticker logo denoting ‘Mercury-Free Dental Chamber’ for his chamber.

ESDO in collaboration with BDS has started their mercury-free dentistry initiatives in Bangladesh since 2013. In line with this, dental chamber visit and mercury-free dental chamber declaration is an worthwhile approach to encourage dentists for practicing mercury-free dentistry as well as to let people know the best choice for them is mercury-free dental treatment. After visiting a good number of dental chambers in country the mercury-free dental chambers will be awarded certificate through a prestigious ceremony. The main objective of this dental chamber visit initiative is to make an ultimate call for the ban of mercury amalgam in dentistry.

 Earlier in 2017, BDS declared and set target to phase out dental mercury amalgam by 2018 in Bangladesh. On may 6, 2017 in a workshop entitled “Mercury-Free Dentistry: Way Forward” this declaration was made.

Prof. Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, Vice Chancellor, Begum Rokeya University was the chief guest of the event. Among others Dr. Humayun Kabir Bulbul, Secretary General, BDS; Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Executive Vice President of World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry and Siddika Sultana, Executive Director, ESDO along with ESDO team were present in the inauguration program.

 During the event, Dr. Humayun Kabir Bulbul, Secretary General, BDS said, “By 2018 BDS is going to ensure mercury-free dental treatment for children, pregnant women and nursing mother. So this kind of initiative is not only praise-worthy but also timely demanded action. We want every dental chamber of our country mercury-free.”

Prof. Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, Vice Chancellor, Begum Rokeya University said, “Non Governmental sector has shown much advancement in establishing mercury free dentistry in Bangladesh. And I have a strong belief that a regulation on the ban of mercury dental amalgam will soon be established through ESDO’s tremendous policy advocacy.”

 Siddika Sultana, Executive Director, ESDO praised Dr. Md. Mosharrof Hossain Khandker for practicing mercury-free dentistry and delivered her valuable speech saying,“As a signatory country of Minamata Convention, Bangladesh have to ban mercury added all products. So to identify and quantify mercury-free dental chambers in Bangladesh is an important step. And in the entire Asia, Bangladesh is the first country to take this kind of initiative. We are grateful to the mercury-free dentists for their cordial co-operation and we appreciate their works.”

 Dr. Md. Mosharrof Hossain Khandker expressed his feelings of happiness and said that for 10 years he is practicing mercury-free dentistry and as a senior dental professional he advised every dentist to practice mercury-free dental treatment. At the end, the sticker denoting ‘Mercury-Free Dental Chamber’ was pasted in front of the dental chamber.

Find The Press Release Here: http://esdo.org/mercury-free-dental-chamber-being-recognized-by-bds-and-esdo-pioneering-approach-in-asia/