Advances in Dental Research, Vol 6, Issue 1, 22-27
Copyright © 1992 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
Principles of risk assessment
TW Clarkson
School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, NY 14642.
This review discusses the basic principles of risk assessment as used in general toxicology and in monitoring side-effects of therapeutic treatments. It also outlines how these principles may apply to assessment of biological reactions to dental restorative materials. Mercury exposure from amalgam fillings is used as an example. The calculations performed are intended only as illustrations, and many other factors must be taken into account. Thus, the calculations are not intended as the last word in risk assessment of amalgam fillings.