258 Australian Dental Journal, October, I960

The role of the Australian Dental Association in the standardization of dental materials

Edward Campbell, M.D.Sc. Chairman, A.D.A. Standards Committee

From time to time questions have been asked by members of the profession as to the exact functions of the Standards Committee of the Australian Dental Association, and its relation- ship to the Standards Association of Australia and the Commonwealth Bureau of Dental Standards. Due to the existence of this con- fusion of thought, the Committee has decided tha t this special issue of the Journal would be a n appropriate place to retrace the steps tha t led to its formation and, a t the same time, to explain briefly how it carries out its work, and the results so far attained therefrom.

Early Beginnings I n 1934 it became evident a t the Dental

School of the University of Melbourne that there was a n ever-growing need in Australia for original work to be undertaken in relation to dental materials. Through the co-operation of Professor J. N. Greenwood, Professor of Metallurgy, and Professor A. B. P. Amies, Dean of the Dental School, a laboratory was estab- lished within the Dental School to undertake research into fundamental problems associated with dental materials. In the initial stages no salaried staff was employed, and the laboratory drew its personnel from both dental and science graduates who were desirous of carrying out original studies suitable for sub- mission for post-graduate degrees. After several years, and with the commencement of World War 11, i t became evident that the establish- ment required placing on a somewhat firmer basis and, as a result, a full-time salaried staff was appointed, who not only continued to carry on research but also attacked problems on which the Government and the Service depart- ments required advice and direction.

By 1945, the laboratory had grown to such proportions that it was felt a more permanent establishment was required. As a result, Professor Amies approached the Director- General of Health with the suggestion that

the organization already in existence should be recognized officially on a national basis in order to handle the multitude of problems on dental materials and allied matters which were now in urgent need of attention.

Establishment of the Bureau At the beginning of 1947 the Commonwealth

Department of Health took over the fully operational laboratory from the Dental School. What was originally the Materials Research Laboratory, University of Melbourne Dental School, became, in fact, the Commonwealth Bureau of Dental Standards, and a n estab- lished laboratory of the Commonwealth Depart- ment of Health with an Officer-in-Charge, and staff, each a n expert in his own field.

The Standards Committee It was a t this time that plans, which had

been crystallizing within the dental profession, were able to be brought to the point where the Federal Executive of the Australian Dental Association saw fit to appoint a relevant com- mittee. This committee, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Bureau of Dental Standards, could set in motion the machinery for estab- lishing standards for dental materials and thereby offer to manufacturers a means of having their products accredited by the Asso- ciation as complying with such standards and listed in the Journals.

The initial list of accredited products appeared in 1950 and contained materials con- forming with the three standards thus f a r promulgated, namely, dental mercury A.D.S. No. T.l, dental amalgam A.D.S. No. T.2, and zinc phosphate cement A.D.S. No. T.3. Today, the official List of Certified Materials contains no less than 85 different items, covered by sixteen separate Australian Dental Standards, and i t has been published at regular intervals in the Australian Dental Journal. In order that a more ready reference might be avail-

Australian Dental Journal, October, I960 259

obtained by its omcers on the open market, and is always alert for any lowering of material standards. It has no hesitation, should evidence be found of such being the case, in removing that product from its listing. Needless to say this situation rarely occurs, and the greatest co-operation has been received from manu- facturers and manufacturers’ agents. In advertising literature and labels, the Committee does not sanction any wording which states or implies that the Australian Dental Associa- tion has endorsed, approved or recommended any product.

able, a complete list has been printed suitable for display (see pages 322-323). Amendments to this list will appear in the Journal as new standards are promulgated and new products are added.

Initiation o f New Standards The Australian Dental Association, through

its Standards Committee, is the only body that accredits dental materials in Australia. Although it does not, in effect, set up standards for these materials, i t can and does initiate the setting up of these standards. That is, should i t deem it advisable that a particular standard be established, the Committee will request the Standards Association of Australia, through its Victorian Branch Ofice, to under- take the setting up of standard specifications.

The latter Association, after agreeing to the Committee’s request, will call together its Dental Materials Sectional Committee consist- ing of any organization or business concerns interested in the particular material to be standardized. These will include representa- tives from consumers, in this case the dental profession, manufacturers and supply houses, together with any technical assistance that it should require. This assistance is usually furnished by the Commonwealth Bureau of Dental Standards and the Australian Dental Association. Once the standard has been pub- lished the Australian Dental Association Standards Committee decides whether it will accept and use the standard as a basis for its accreditation scheme, or whether it will make alterations to i t to suit its own purposes. While reserving the right to do this, it has almost always used the S.A.A. standards unaltered for its accreditation programme.

The Accreditation Programme Manufacturers or distributors of the material

in question are then invited to submit samples for accreditation. If the product complies with the appropriate standard and they undertake to abide by the requirements of the Australian Dental Association concerning the continued quality of such products, it is accepted for inclusion in the List of Certified Materials. In abiding by such requirements, manufacturers undertake to have their products tested regularly for quality during manufacture, and are required to submit evidence of such pro- duction testing to the Standards Committee.

The Committee also arranges for regular check testing of samples of certified products

Liaison with Branches Apart from its work in the field of material

accreditation, the Committee has appointed Liaison Officers within each State Branch of the Association to assist in its work. To them, also, the various State members may refer their problems on materials which are then forwarded to the Committee for comment and appropriate action where necessary.

A Panel of Co-operating Practitioners, men in everyday dental practice, has been set up. Questionnaires and materials are sent to these men from time to time for clinical testing and comment. Such a panel has been found to be of extreme value to the Committee in carrying out its functions.

Summary of Functions Finally, it might be well to set down, briefly,

the objectives and functions of the Committee: 1. To act as the ofacial representative of the

dental profession in Australia in matters concerning the establishment of standards and the certification of dental materials.

2. To initiate requests for specifications to be drafted by the Standards Association of Australia.

3. To initiate requests for rnodiflcation of existing standards.

4. To report to the Federal Council of the Australian Dental Association on matters pertaining to the quality of dental materials and related supplies.

In this work, as also in its accreditation scheme, the Committee has the help and whole- hearted co-operation of the Director and Staff of the Commonwealth Bureau of Dental Standards, without which its functions would be well-nigh impossible.

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