ADA: Bisphenol A deemed safe in dental products -- so far

The research so far suggests that bisphenol A (BPA), a compound in some plastic dental materials, won't hurt consumers, the ADA said Tuesday.

Bisphenol A, found in many consumer plastics and in dental sealants and composites, has been linked to reproductive problems and other forms of illness.

In a press release posted on its Web site, the organization said it had been in contact with trade groups and government agencies to share information on the compound. It quoted a letter in which the ADA told the National Institutes of Health that the latest peer-reviewed evidence found no risk from BPA in dental materials.

However, the ADA also believes that more information is needed. "Consumers must be assured that the materials used to maintain oral health are safe," said President Mark Feldman, D.D.S.