The International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine (IABDM) is a leader in promoting biological dentistry, an approach that recognizes the profound connection between oral health and overall wellness. Among its many contributions to this field, the IABDM has developed the PROTECT Protocol, a comprehensive framework designed to ensure the safe removal of mercury amalgam fillings, which contain approximately 50% mercury—a known neurotoxin that can pose significant health risks if mishandled during removal. While safe amalgam removal is a critical component of biological dentistry, it is one piece of the broader puzzle that the IABDM addresses through its commitment to biocompatible, toxin-free practices and systemic health.
The PROTECT Protocol: A Comprehensive Approach
The PROTECT Protocol is an integral part of the IABDM’s mission to advance biological dentistry. It is delivered through the IABDM’s online e-learning course, “PROTECT Protocol Provider for Dental Professionals,” which equips dentists with the knowledge and skills needed to safely remove mercury amalgam fillings. The course includes detailed videos, presentations, and reading materials covering the history of dental mercury, its health risks, regulatory considerations, and practical steps for safe removal. Certification requires participants to demonstrate their ability to implement safety measures and use specialized equipment through an oral presentation, ensuring real-world competence in protecting patients, staff, and the environment.
According to the IABDM website, the PROTECT Protocol employs rigorous safety measures to minimize mercury exposure, including:
- Patient Oxygen Delivery: An external oxygen source is provided via a nasal mask or cannula to prevent patients from inhaling mercury vapors during the procedure.
- Rubber Dam and Saliva Ejector: A non-latex rubber dam, sealed with a dam sealer to ensure an airtight barrier, isolates the tooth. A thin smear of HgX cream is applied on top of the dam after placement to diminish the amount of mercury vapor and particulates that could pass through and reach the patient’s throat. A saliva ejector is placed under the dam to capture saliva and reduce mercury vapor exposure.
- High-Volume Evacuation: A high-speed evacuation system, such as the Oral Aerosol Vacuum, removes mercury vapors and particles during drilling to reduce airborne contaminants.
- Protective Gear for Staff: Dental staff wear non-latex nitrile gloves, full-face shields, and NIOSH-approved respirators with chemical cartridges certified for protection against mercury vapor and particulate matter.
- Patient Protection: Full-body drapes and protective eyewear shield patients from mercury particles and debris.
- Amalgam Separators: These devices capture mercury waste to prevent environmental contamination, adhering to strict ecological standards.
- Room Filtration: Large-scale filtration systems, such as extraoral suction units, are installed in the operatory to capture mercury vapors, with a mandated filter change-out schedule to ensure consistent performance.
- Biocompatible Materials: The protocol prioritizes biocompatible restorative materials to replace amalgams, supporting long-term health and avoiding toxic alternatives.
A Broader Vision for Biological Dentistry
The PROTECT Protocol is one element of the IABDM’s comprehensive approach to biological dentistry, which views oral health as inseparable from systemic well-being. Mercury exposure from amalgam fillings can contribute to conditions like neurological disorders, immune dysfunction, and chronic fatigue. The protocol encourages dentists to assess patients’ overall health, considering factors such as detoxification capacity and nutritional status before and after amalgam removal. Complementary therapies, including ozone therapy, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and natural tooth maintenance, are often integrated to promote healing and minimize inflammation. This systemic perspective ensures that amalgam removal supports the broader goal of optimizing whole-body health.
The IABDM also prioritizes education across the dental team. Through the Biological RDA/Staff Certification, assistants and hygienists are trained in the PROTECT Protocol, fostering a unified office culture rooted in biological principles. This team-wide training enhances patient trust and ensures consistent application of safety measures, distinguishing IABDM practices as leaders in biological dentistry.
Comparison to Other Approaches
While other organizations, such as the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) with its Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART), provide guidelines for safe amalgam removal, the IABDM’s PROTECT Protocol stands out for its integration within a broader biological framework and its rigorous adherence to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards to protect dental staff and minimize practice liability. Key distinctions include:
- Comprehensive Respiratory Protection Program: The PROTECT Protocol aligns with OSHA’s respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) by requiring:
- Medical Evaluations: Staff using respirators undergo medical evaluations to ensure they can safely wear them, addressing potential health risks.
- Fit Testing: Annual fit testing is mandated to confirm that NIOSH-approved respirators with chemical cartridges, certified for mercury vapor and particulate matter, form a proper seal for each user.
- Respirator Training: Staff receive training on the use, maintenance, and storage of respirators to ensure effective protection and compliance.
- Workplace Hazard Assessment: The protocol requires a thorough hazard assessment to identify mercury exposure risks, informing the selection of controls and PPE to safeguard employees.
- Written Respiratory Program: Dental practices must maintain a written respiratory protection program outlining procedures and responsibilities.
- Program Administrator: A designated administrator oversees the respiratory program, ensuring consistent implementation and compliance.
- Advanced Engineering Controls: The addition of HgX cream to dental dams and gloves to reduce mercury vapors, effectively reducing staff exposure.
These OSHA-compliant measures demonstrate the IABDM’s commitment to a culture of safety, reducing workplace risks, and protecting dental practice owners from liability.
The IABDM’s Commitment to Biological Dentistry
The PROTECT Protocol reflects the IABDM’s dedication to advancing biological dentistry as a practice that respects the body’s interconnected systems. By equipping dentists with cutting-edge safety measures and a systemic perspective, the IABDM empowers practitioners to protect patients from mercury’s dangers while promoting overall wellness. The protocol also supports environmental sustainability by preventing mercury pollution through amalgam separators and proper waste disposal. As awareness of dental toxins grows, the PROTECT Protocol positions the IABDM as a leader in safe, compassionate, and biologically sound dental care.
For patients seeking mercury-safe dentistry, choosing an IABDM-certified dentist trained in the PROTECT Protocol ensures exceptional safety and a commitment to whole-body health. The IABDM continues to innovate, providing resources, research, and education to advance biological dentistry and protect future generations from the risks of dental toxins.
Dental patients looking for a certified protect protocol practitioner dentist can find one in the IABDM member directory.
