NERI study finds composite dental fillings associated with impaired social behaviors in children
A new paper found dental fillings that may release bisphenol-A (BPA) were associated with impaired social behaviors in children. Associations were stronger when the composite fillings were on chewing surfaces where degradation of the plastic over time may be more likely. No adverse psychosocial outcomes were observed in children who had fillings made without the plastic materials.
“Dental Composite Restorations and Psychosocial Function in Children” will be published in Pediatrics on July 16, and is available now on an embargoed basis.
BPA is used to create bisGMA – traditionally the main source monomer for composite dental fillings. Either a combination of BisGMA and other materials, or amalgam (silver colored fillings containing mercury) are commonly used for dental fillings.
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and New England Research Institutes studied dental fillings in 534 children aged 6 or older as part of a randomized trial of amalgam. They found that with increasing amount and duration of exposure to bisGMA fillings over 5 years follow-up, children reported more anxiety, depression, social stress, and interpersonal-relation problems. The researchers say this finding is consistent with laboratory research showing social problems related to early life exposures to small amounts of BPA, but they add that additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.
NERI in the News!
Media coverage reaches 300+ publications. A selection can be found here:
The Daily Mail (UK)- July 17, 2012
“Chemicals found in dental fillings can make children behave badly, claims study”
Chemical Watch - July 17, 2012
“BPA-resin dental fillings linked to children’s impaired social behavior”
Global Post - July 16, 2012
“Dental fillings linked to kids' behavior problems, says study”
CBS News - July 16, 2012
“BPA in tooth fillings may boost kids' behavioral problems”
Science News - July 16, 2012
“White dental fillings may impair kids' behavior”
Reuters Health - July 16, 2012
“Tooth fillings made with BPA tied to behavior issues”
The Daily Beast - July 16, 2012
“Can Children's Dental Fillings Spur Depression?”
HealthDay - July 16, 2012
“Plastics Chemical in Dental Fillings Might Affect Children's Behavior: Study”