Henrik Lichtenberg was a distinguished Danish dentist known for his pioneering efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of dental amalgam fillings, which contain approximately 50% mercury and pose risks of chronic poisoning. Born in Denmark, Lichtenberg completed his dental education in 1956 and gained experience as an assistant dentist in Lyngby, Denmark. He then worked for three years in Sweden’s public dental health service.

In 1962, Henrik Lichtenberg established his dental practice in Hillerød, Denmark, where he became renowned for his innovative and patient-centered approach to dentistry. Throughout his career, Lichtenberg was dedicated to educating the public about the health risks associated with dental amalgam. He actively advocated for discontinuing the use of dental amalgam due to the dangers of chronic mercury toxicity.

Lichtenberg’s advocacy efforts extended internationally and earned him recognition for his contributions to dental health and awareness. In the United States, he received an award for his efforts to raise awareness about the risks of amalgam fillings. In his practice, Lichtenberg ceased using amalgam fillings in 1985, opting for alternative materials.

In addition to his clinical work, Lichtenberg was a member of organizations such as the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and the Danish Society for Orthomolecular Medicine. He published numerous clinical studies in journals like the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine in Canada, documenting the success of his treatment approaches.

Henrik Lichtenberg was remembered as a compassionate and forward-thinking dentist who prioritized patient safety and health. His advocacy efforts influenced changes in dental practices, contributing to Denmark’s prohibition of dental amalgam use. Even after his passing in 2006, his impact continues to resonate in dentistry, inspiring future dental professionals.

Furthermore, in the mid-1990s, Henrik Lichtenberg began collaborating with Geir Bjørklund, then editor of Tenner & Helse, the journal of the Norwegian Dental Patient Association (Forbundet Tenner og Helse). Later in the 2000s, Lichtenberg and Bjørklund continued their collaboration with the Nordic Journal of Biological Medicine (Nordisk Tidsskrift for Biologisk Medisin), which served as a precursor to the Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine.