Dental amalgam has been extensively used for tooth restorations; however, concerns about mercury exposure have prompted a global shift toward safer alternatives. The Convention encourages Parties to adopt strategies that reduce the use of dental amalgam, emphasizing the protection of vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women.

Promoting mercury-free dentistry
 

Annex A, Part II of the Convention outlines measures to reduce reliance on dental amalgam. These include promoting preventive dental care and oral health education to reduce the need for restorative treatments, encouraging the use of mercury-free dental materials as the preferred option, and raising awareness among dental professionals and patients about the benefits of mercury-free alternatives. The 2022 amendment strengthened these provisions by restricting the use of dental amalgam for children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

 

 

Pathways to implementation
 

Parties are encouraged to implement measures such as promoting preventive dental care, encouraging research into new materials, and discouraging insurance policies that favor amalgam over mercury-free alternatives. Collaboration with dental associations and educational institutions is vital to facilitate this transition. Parties must implement at least two measures from Annex A, Part II to phase down dental amalgam use. The Convention also encourages the adoption of best practices for dental waste management to prevent mercury contamination in wastewater systems.

 

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).