The investigation revealed that a woman from Ravenna, Ohio suffered long-term pain and jaw
damage after receiving a bridge that didn't fit, 10TV's Lindsey Seavert reported.
SLIDESHOW:
Images From The Report
| VIDEO:
Watch 10 Investigates' Original Report
| ONLINE EXTRAS:
Read The
FDA Response |
Burgess'
Letter To Committee Chairman (PDF)
She then discovered that the bridge was made in China. Further testing revealed that the
bridge contained levels of lead, Seavert reported.
The report startled the dental community and eventually found its way into the ears of
lawmakers like U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess.
Burgess sits on a House of Representatives health committee that oversees that Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
After the recent toy and lead paint crisis, Burgess rallied for new laws to stop unsafe
products from making it into the United States. Burgess recently spoke with 10TV News from his home
state of Texas about last week's report.
"I will tell you it's disturbing," Burgess said. "I'm grateful that you bought it to the
public's attention.
According to Burgess, the agencies responsible for monitoring these types of outsourced goods
need upgrades.
"Quite honestly, our federal agencies – the FDA and CPSC – are ill-equipped to deal with this
new reality."
Now, in response to 10 Investigates report, Burgess asked his committee chairman to
intervene.
"I have written him a letter asking him to have a hearing about dental devices that might be
sources of lead contamination," Burgess said.
The letter cites the 10 Investigates report and asked the chairman to "immediately
investigate," Seavert reported.
Burgess said the issue is about more than just a patient's right to know.
"Our legislation has to be focused on stopping the problem, fixing the process and then
providing transparency that the consuming public needs to know that these products are indeed
safe," Burgess said.
The FDA told 10 Investigates on Tuesday that it enlisted the help of its scientists to conduct
an evaluation, Seavert reported.
The FDA said it would perform inspections, both domestic and foreign, and conduct its own
investigation by collecting samples and administering lab tests.
Stay with 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories:
February 28, 2008:
State
Dental Board Takes Action After 10 Investigates Report
February 27, 2008:
Foreign
Dental Work Put To Test
Web Extras:
- More Information About 10 Investigates' Research
- Read The Food And Drug Administration's Response
- Read The American Dental Association's Response
- Read The National Association Of Dental Laboratories Letter (PDF)
- Guidelines For Approving Laboratory Prescription Forms (PDF)
- Form From The Missouri Dental Board On Outsourcing Materials (PDF)
