Global Health Policy: UN Body Decides to End Dental Amalgam Use by 2034 Amid Wider Push on Mercury Pollution
In a significant move poised to reshape global dental practice, the United Nations body responsible for the Minamata Convention on Mercury has formally agreed to a worldwide phase-out date for the manufacture, import, and export of dental amalgam. Delegates to the Convention’s Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6) have set the final deadline for December 31, 2034.
This decision finalizes the international community's commitment to protect human health and the environment by eliminating the use of mercury, which is a component of dental amalgam, the most widely used filling material for over a century and a half.
The Rationale and the Compromise
The Minamata Convention, an international treaty in force since 2017, aims to control mercury emissions and releases from various sources. The vote to eliminate dental amalgam represents a critical step in reducing global mercury pollution.
The 2034 phase-out date reflects a negotiated agreement, balancing environmental protection with the need to ensure global health equity:
Environmental Goal: The primary objective is to stop the release of mercury into the environment from dental waste, cremation, and sewage systems.
Public Health Consideration: The original proposal for a 2030 phase-out was extended to 2034. This extension acknowledges the challenges faced by developing countries in transitioning away from amalgam, ensuring they have adequate time to train professionals and establish the necessary supply chains for mercury-free alternatives.
The Critical Exemption
To safeguard access to essential restorative care, the agreement includes a vital exemption clause. This provision allows dental professionals to continue using amalgam after the 2034 deadline in cases where it is determined to be necessary due to:
Clinical Need: When mercury-free alternatives are deemed unsuitable for a patient's specific clinical requirements.
Accessibility: In situations where non-mercury alternatives are unavailable or unaffordable, particularly in low-income settings.
This exemption ensures that marginalized communities retain access to basic, effective dental treatments during the transition period.
The global phase-out mandate for 2034 solidifies the transition toward using composite resins and other mercury-free alternatives, marking a new chapter for restorative dentistry worldwide.
Original Article Details
Original Title: U.N. body decides to end dental amalgam use by 2034 amid wider push on mercury pollution
Source: Oral Health Group (Content via The Associated Press)
Publication Date: November 12, 2025