BPA and the FDA

This past month the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quietly made a significant decision that effects the dental industry in far reaching ways. The FDA declined to call for further investigation into whether Bis Phenol A (BPA) can cause potential health risk to those that are exposed to it. BPA has been commonly used in a variety of applications, including as a liner for cans that contain food, drugs, or infant formula. The FDA concluded that after more than 40 years of use, without any specific correlation to any known health risk, that BPA did not warrant further investigation at this time.

For several years, some in the dental industry have created for their own benefit, concern whether BPA could cause a health risk. See some of my earlier blogs on BPA.  Note that these same companies are not conducting any research to further understand the issue, only issue warnings, create fear, and make sales. This is done at the same time they knowingly sell other products that contain BPA.

BPA is not a formula ingredient in dental products, however it can be a by-product in the synthesis of BIS-GMA, one of our most common monomers used in many different composites, cements and sealants. In this capacity BPA is often not present at all, or found only in very small quantities, this is unlike the percentages that can be measured in food stored in cans lined with BPA. I hope that this significant decision by the FDA will at least silence those that have created this fear, and possibly get them to change their position on this issue.....(wink).