Preliminary study on dentists’ perception andsafety measures toward the use of dental amalgamin Riyadh private clinics

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this preliminary study was to obtain information on the dentists’ perception concerning amalgam safety and their general attitude towards mercury hygiene practice in selected private dental clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS and METHODS: A questionnaire of 28 items was distributed to each dentist in a random sample of 94 dentists working in private clinics in Riyadh City, and collected by the investigator to ensure accuracy of responses. RESULTS: The results showed that reaction to the mercury debate and safety continues to be controversial. As anticipated, the recent debate on the local media has influenceddentist’sopinionregardingthisissue.Thirty-sevenpercentoftherespondentsasserted amalgam risk towards the patient health, while 40% of them did not agree that amalgam is hazardous to the dental personnel. Dentists in the private practice were satisfactorily adopting universal barrier techniques. However, some of the standard mercury hygiene recommendations were markedly deficient.