The District is proud to announce the recipients of its inaugural Excellence in Mercury Management recognition program. This program celebrates dental clinics in the greater Madison area that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to environmental stewardship by responsibly managing amalgam waste and dental mercury.
Dental amalgam, the material that makes up silver fillings, is one of the largest sources of mercury to the District’s wastewater treatment plant. To reduce mercury pollution in the environment, local clinics are required follow guidelines for proper handling of amalgam waste.
Inaugural program celebrates dental clinics
The new program recognizes clinics that have consistently adhered to best practices for amalgam waste management, including:
- Timely annual reporting: Clinics have submitted their annual amalgam management reports punctually for at least three consecutive years.
- Amalgam separator maintenance: Clinics have shown diligence in maintaining their amalgam separators, ensuring they function optimally.
- Amalgam management practices: Clinics have regularly followed all amalgam management practices outlined by the American Dental Association and Wisconsin Dental Association for handling amalgam waste.
“Both dental clinics and wastewater treatment plants are in the business of protecting human health,” said District pollution prevention specialist Catherine Harris. “By following these protocols, dental clinics help protect our water systems and contribute to a healthier community.”
Excellence in Mercury Management 2024
This year, we are pleased to recognize the following dental clinics for their outstanding environmental stewardship:
- Affiliated Dentists East Office
- Andler Dental
- Capital Endodontics West Office
- Children’s Dental Center Fitchburg
- Complete Family Dentistry
- Correct Care Solutions
- David A. Besley, DDS
- DeForest Dental
- Dentistry for Madison
- East Grove Dental
- Eastpark Dental
- Family Dental Care of Fitchburg
- Jennifer Hamilton DDS
- Madison Family Dental Associates – DeForest
- Madison Family Dental Associates – Madison
- Madison Smile Solutions
- Smart Dental
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans’ Hospital Dental Clinic
While there are many dental clinics doing their part for the environment, these clinics are differentiated in that they have maintained records and demonstrated best practices for at least three years in a row.
Success in Pollution prevention
The District’s work with dental clinics over the past 20 years is a true pollution prevention success story. Working cooperatively with dental clinics to ensure installation and diligent maintenance of mercury capturing equipment, such as amalgam separators, has improved the wastewater treatment plant’s ability to recover and recycle resources over time. Because of continued attentiveness to equipment maintenance and staff education, dental clinics have continued to keep the amount of mercury escaping into the environment low over time.
The District Pollution Prevention team has compiled helpful information on mercury, including:
- Local programs and resources for dental clinics on responsible amalgam management.
- Mercury information specific to Wisconsin, including fish consumption advice and details on the state ban by WDNR.
- Comprehensive federal education and mercury materials by the EPA.
For more information about our mercury reduction efforts and responsible amalgam management programs, contact our Pollution Prevention team.
