Insights | Minamata Convention on Mercury

Dental amalgam has been extensively used for tooth restorations; however, concerns about mercury exposure have prompted a global shift toward safer alternatives. The Convention started with phasing down the use of dental amalgam, and now it requires Parties to phase out by 2034.

The road to mercury-free dentistry

The Convention was amended three times to strengthen the measures on dental amalgam. Since 2023, Parties are to avoid using dental amalgam for children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, and the use of bulk-form mercury at dental clinics. In 2025, Parties agreed to phase out the manufacturing, import and export of dental amalgam by 2034, except for the cases where dental practitioners consider necessary based on patients' needs. and called for stepped-up measures towards phase-out. Parties that have not phased out dental amalgam are to periodically submit action plans towards phase-out.

Protecting vulnerable populations

Minimizing mercury exposure from dental amalgam is a key public health priority, especially for vulnerable populations. As early as 2022, an amendment to the Convention required parties to take measures to avoid the use of dental amalgam for patients under 15 years and for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Policy tools for phase-out

Towards the phase-out, Parties are encouraged to implement various measures such as promoting preventive dental care, discouraging insurance policies that favor amalgam over mercury-free alternatives, and collaboration with dental associations and educational institutions to facilitate this transition. To prevent the pollution from the removal of dental amalgam already used for treatment, management of dental waste and wastewater remains a priority.

Meet the expert

Should you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact Eisaku Toda, Senior Programme Management Officer of the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, at eisaku.toda [at] un.org (eisaku[dot]toda[at]un[dot]org).