(6) Use of water coolant. A water coolant must be used to reduce and
(7)
Use of gloves. Handling amalgam with bare hands must be avoided.
(8) Use of standard containers. An amalgam well or a dappen dish must be
used to hold prepared amalgam.
(9) Storage of materials. Old amalgam and mercury must be stored under
fresh, clean fixer solution in a strong closed container and kept in a cool, fireproof area.
(10) Disposal of wastes. Disposable paper, cloths, and rubber items that are
mercury or amalgam contaminated must be deposited into bag-lined, covered
containers after use. Bag and contents must be disposed of daily.
(11) Avoiding heat. Amalgam mixing equipment, as well as mercury, must
be kept away from any source of heat.
(12) Use of closed containers for amalgamators. Amalgamators must be
kept inside closed containers as much as possible.
(13) Weekly cleaning of amalgamators. Amalgamators must be cleaned at
least once a week.
(14) No carpeting in work area. There must be no carpeting in the part of the
dental clinics where mercury or amalgam is used.
(15) Separate area for cleaning. The cleaning area for equipment for
laboratories and other clinic areas must be kept separate and distinct from the cleaning
area for equipment used with amalgam or mercury in order to avoid wide dispersal of
mercurial vapors.
Section III. DENTAL BASES AND CEMENTS
1-10. GENERAL
Dental cements are generally low strength materials prepared by mixing a
powder with a liquid. These cements vary in their chemical composition, properties, and
uses. Dental cements have lower heat conductivity than do metallic restorative
materials. Dental cements, however, have the disadvantages of relatively low strength,
varying degrees of solubility in mouth fluids, and setting shrinkage. As a group, they are
more natural in appearance and are easier and faster to use. Although they are widely
used in restorative dentistry, dental cements are considered to be among the least
permanent of restorative materials. Four types of cement used in dentistry are zinc
phosphate cement, polycarboxylate cement, glass ionomer cement, and zinc oxide and
eugenol cement.
MD0502
1-10