smart-open-v3The IAOMT promotes mercury-free, mercury-safe, and biological/biocompatible dentistry through research, development, education, and practice.  Because of our objectives and knowledge base, the IAOMT is very concerned about mercury exposure when removing amalgam fillings. Drilling out amalgam fillings liberates quantities of mercury vapor and fine particulates that can be inhaled and absorbed through the lungs, potentially harming patients, dentists, dental workers, and their fetuses. (The IAOMT does not recommend that pregnant women have their amalgams removed.)

Based on up-to-date scientific research, the IAOMT has developed rigorous recommendations for removing existing dental mercury amalgam fillings to reduce the potential adverse health outcomes of mercury exposure to patients, dental professionals, dental students, office staff, and others. The IAOMT’s recommendations are known as the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART). To read the SMART recommendations with scientific support, click here.

Dentists who have obtained SMART Certification from the IAOMT have completed coursework related to mercury and the safe removal of amalgam fillings, including three units consisting of scientific readings, online learning videos, and tests. The educational programming includes learning about applying rigorous safety measures, including using specific equipment. Dentists achieving SMART are recognized for completing this training on the IAOMT’s Dentist Directory so that patients opting to find a dentist knowledgeable about the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique can do so.

To enroll in SMART, you must be a member of the IAOMT.  You can join the IAOMT by clicking on the button at the bottom of this page. If you are already a member of the IAOMT, log in using your member name and password, and then enroll in SMART by accessing the SMART page under the education menu tab.

Earn 7.5 CE credits.

Note that the entire SMART Certification program is offered online.

Requirements for SMART Certification
  1. Active Membership in IAOMT.
  2. Pay the $500 fee to enroll in the SMART Certification program.
  3. Complete Unit 1 (Introduction to the IAOMT), Unit 2 (Mercury 101/102 and Dental Amalgam Mercury & the Environment), and Unit 3 (Safe Removal of Amalgam), which includes taking and passing unit tests.
  4. Attendance at one IAOMT conference in person.
  5. Oral Case Presentation.
  6. Complete the final requirements for SMART, which consist of learning about the science that supports SMART, the equipment that is part of SMART, and the resources from the IAOMT that enable dentists to implement SMART in their daily practice.
  7. Sign SMART disclaimer.
  8. All SMART members must attend an IAOMT conference in person once every three years to maintain their SMART Certified status on the public directory listing.
Levels of Certification from the IAOMT

SMART Certified: A SMART-certified member has completed a course on mercury and safe dental mercury amalgam removal, including three units consisting of scientific readings, online learning videos, and tests.  The crux of this essential course on the IAOMT’s Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) involves learning about the rigorous safety measures and equipment for reducing exposures to mercury releases during the removal of amalgam fillings, as well as showing an oral case presentation for safe amalgam removal to members on the education committee. A SMART-certified member may or may not have achieved a higher level of certification such as Accreditation, Fellowship, or Mastership.

Accredited–(AIAOMT): The Accredited member has completed a seven-unit course on biological dentistry, including units on fluoride, biological periodontal therapy, hidden pathogens in the jawbone and root canals, and more.  This course involves an examination of over 50 scientific and medical research articles, participating in an e-learning component of the curriculum, including six videos, and demonstrating mastery on seven detailed unit tests.  An Accredited member is a member who has also attended the Fundamentals of Biological Dentistry Course and at least two IAOMT conferences. Note that an Accredited member must first become SMART certified and may or may not have achieved a higher level of certification such as Fellowship or Mastership. To learn more about becoming Accredited, click here.

Fellow–(FIAOMT): A Fellow is a member who has achieved Accreditation and has submitted one scientific review that the Scientific Review Committee has approved. A Fellow has also completed 500 hours of credit in research, education, and service beyond that of an Accredited member.

Master–(MIAOMT): A Master is a member who has achieved Accreditation and Fellowship and has completed 500 hours of credit in research, education, and service (in addition to the 500 hours for Fellowship, for a total of 1,000 hours).  A Master has also submitted a scientific review approved by the Scientific Review Committee (in addition to the scientific review for Fellowship, for a total of two scientific reviews).

Biological Dental Hygiene Accreditation–(HIAOMT): Certifies to the professional community and the general public that a member hygienist has been trained and tested in the comprehensive application of biological dental hygiene. The course includes ten units: the three units described in SMART Certification and the seven units described in the Accreditation definitions above; however, the coursework in the Biological Dental Hygiene Accreditation is specifically designed for dental hygienists.

Biological Dental Hygiene Fellowship (FHIAOMT) and Mastership (MHIAOMT): These educational certifications from the IAOMT require Biological Dental Hygiene Accreditation and the creation of a scientific review and approval of the review by the Board, as well as an additional 350 hours of credit in research, education, and/or service.

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