An amalgam-free world – are we and our patients ready?

I qualified 32 years ago in 1983 and can, sadly, still remember that one of the questions in my final written examination was 'To compare and contrast the properties of the different plastic materials available to restore posterior teeth'. After varied general jobs in primary and secondary care, my career choice was to undertake specialist training in Restorative Dentistry. I completed my certificate of completion for specialist training (CCST) in Restorative Dentistry 11 years after qualification in 1994.

I have always tried, where possible, to be evidence-based and would describe myself as an early adopter of anything that I think will improve the quality of what I can provide to patients. I have attempted to upskill with virtually every major development relevant to Restorative Dentistry over the last 30 years. This has included: direct and indirect adhesive ‘additive’ dentistry, utilization of the Dahl concept, implants, augmentation and regeneration, operating microscopes with illumination, rotary (and reciprocation) endodontic instruments, 3D vertical warm obturation systems, digitization of radiographs, the use of CT and CBCT, HD video-capturing, websites, etc.