CEHC Publishes New Research on BPA and Dental Sealants
Philip J. Landrigan, MD, MSc and Perry Sheffield, MD help produce research on BPA in dental sealants.
The October issue of Pediatrics will feature research conducted by Philip J. Landrigan, MD, MSc and Perry Sheffield, MD of Mount Sinai’s Children’s Environmental Health Center (CEHC).
In the article "Bisphenol A and Related Compounds in Dental Materials: A Critical Review," Dr. Landrigan and Dr. Sheffield collaborated with a team of researchers to evaluate the bisphenol A (BPA) content of dental materials and suggest ways to manage BPA exposures.
BPA is released from dental resins through enzymes in saliva, and it is detectable in saliva for up to 3 hours after resin placement. To reduce exposure, the article suggests rubbing dental materials with pumice to remove the top liquefied layer of sealants. After application, immediately rinse the surface with water for 30 seconds to decrease salivary BPA levels.
Despite possible risks of exposure, the study recommends the continued use of sealants in pediatric dentistry, as exposure is brief and the benefits of resin-based dental sealants are substantial in preventing cavities. However, they recommend that the use of these materials should be minimized during pregnancy, and they encourage manufacturers to develop materials with less estrogenic potential.
About the Children's Environmental Health Center
Mount Sinai's Children's Environmental Health Center conducts research to protect children against environmental threats to health. Our investigations seek to discover the environmental causes of such diseases as asthma, learning disabilities, autism, obesity, and childhood cancer. We transmit our research to pediatricians, policy makers, parents, and all who care for children.