Mercury in Dental Filling Disclosure and Prohibition Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 10, 2002

Mercury in Dental Filling Disclosure and Prohibition Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit mercury from being used to make dental fillings as of January 1, 2007. Establishes that a device containing mercury intended for use in a dental filling shall be considered misbranded after July 1, 2002, unless it bears a label warning of the potential dangers of mercury, and stating that the consumer should be warned of the health risks it poses.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Watson, Diane E. [D-CA-32] · D–CA

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

8 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Apr 23, 2002
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Apr 10, 2002
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Apr 10, 2002
Introduced in House
Apr 10, 2002
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Apr 10, 2002 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 19, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4163 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.4163, 107th Congress: Mercury in Dental Filling Disclosure and Prohibition Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/4163

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2002-04-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/hr4163/BILLS-107hr4163ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-19T17:32:00Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4163 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4163 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4163, 107th Congress: Mercury in Dental Filling Disclosure and Prohibition Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/4163

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2002-04-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/hr4163/BILLS-107hr4163ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-19T17:32:00Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4163 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4163 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4163, 107th Congress: Mercury in Dental Filling Disclosure and Prohibition Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/4163

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2002-04-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/hr4163/BILLS-107hr4163ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-19T17:32:00Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4163 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4163 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4163, 107th Congress: Mercury in Dental Filling Disclosure and Prohibition Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/4163

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2002-04-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/hr4163/BILLS-107hr4163ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-19T17:32:00Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4163 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.