A landmark decision was recently reached at the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, where Parties agreed to set 2034 as the global phase-out date after which the manufacture, import, or export of dental amalgam will no longer be permitted.
This milestone marks a major win for oral and public health and underscores the power of unified, science-based advocacy led by FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) and the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR).
The final decision reflects a balanced and equity-focused approach to phasing down dental amalgam use worldwide. Crucially, it includes a key exemption that supports the joint advocacy by FDI and IADR, which ensures that even after phase-out of dental amalgam it can be used “when its use is considered necessary by the dental practitioner based on the needs of the patient”.
This provision ensures that patient care remains at the centre of decision-making, safeguarding access to essential restorative treatments where alternatives are not yet available or viable.
“As we move toward the eventual phase-out of dental amalgam, it is essential that the needs of our members, and the patients they serve, remain at the heart of every decision,” FDI executive director Enzo Bondioni said.
“This outcome provides much-needed time and clarity for our members to plan, prepare, and implement the necessary national policies.”
