Public Can Have Confidence in Dental Implants

“ADIA can provide assurance that it works with member businesses to raise awareness of, and compliance with, the regulatory standards for dental products in Australia.

The representative body for suppliers of quality dental products, the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA), has noted with concern suggestions in today’s media that a supplier of dental implants is associated with an overseas company accused of manufacturing therapeutic goods from improperly harvested human corpses.

However, ADIA has cautioned there is no need for widespread concern.

“ADIA can provide assurance that it works with member businesses to raise awareness of, and compliance with, the regulatory standards for dental products in Australia.

In this context, there is no cause for widespread concern about the safety of dental implants,” said Troy Williams, ADIA Chief Executive Officer.

As part of ADIA’s membership application process, a business supplying dental products is required to make a declaration attesting to compliance with the regulatory standards enforced by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Significantly, this declaration is made on an annual basis as each member business renews its membership.

“ADIA members supply more than ninety percent of the products used in dentistry. They are proud of their track-record of providing high-quality products used by dentists and allied oral healthcare professionals,” Mr Williams said.

It is noted that Zimmer, the Australian distributor of products at the centre of the latest controversy, is not an ADIA member and not a major supplier of dental implants.

ADIA has been in contact with the TGA, the regulatory body for dental products, to ascertain whether there have been any failings of the regulatory system in which dental products are supplied.

“This does appear to be an isolated example and ADIA’s focus is to work with the TGA to ensure that the regulatory framework for dental product is based on a risk management approach designed to ensure public health and safety,” Mr Williams concluded.