On March 4, the Ministry of Health announced key milestones in the country’s phase-out of dental amalgam in line with the Minamata Convention. Mercury is no longer being imported or marketed for dental use, and universities have stopped teaching dental amalgam as a filling material, while dental sector leaders signed an agreement to phase down its use. Argentina is not yet in a full prohibition phase, but it has effectively entered a de facto phase-out.
To complement these important milestones, the Ministry of Health of the Nation has published the National Guide for the Management of Mercury Waste in Dental Offices, establishing technical and mandatory standards for the safe segregation, storage and disposal of waste that contains mercury generated in dental clinics. The guide unifies criteria across the country and reinforces existing sanitary regulation with clear traceability requirements, dedicated hazardous‑waste management circuits, and protocols to protect the health of dental professionals and patients.
This regulatory step accompanies the broader national effort to transition Argentine dentistry away from mercury‑based materials. Dental sector leaders from across the country have signed an agreement to progressively phase down the use of dental amalgam, while authorities in higher education have confirmed that universities have removed teaching of dental amalgam as a filling material from the 2026 academic curriculum. The Argentine Chamber of Dental Commerce and Industry has also reported that mercury for dental use is no longer being imported or marketed domestically.
The announcement comes amid reinforced regional cooperation to accelerate implementation of the Minamata Convention’s provisions on dental amalgam. On March 4–5, 2026, health and environment officials from across Latin America convened in Montevideo at a regional workshop to share best practices and technical experiences in progressively reducing the use of amalgam and improving environmentally sound management of mercury residues. Hosted under a Global Environment Facility (GEF‑7) initiative with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and national ministries, the event brought together delegations from several countries committed to sustainable oral health policies.
Speakers at the workshop highlighted that transitioning to mercury‑free alternatives aligns with international commitments and offers an opportunity to modernize clinical practice, strengthen quality of care, and protect future generations of patients and practitioners. They also emphasized the value of intersectoral coordination — between health, environment and academic sectors — and international cooperation in progressing toward a full phase‑out of dental amalgam region‑wide.
With the de facto phase-out of dental amalgam, Argentina became the 68th country to transition to mercury-free dentistry.
Further Information:
Announcement by the Argentinian Ministry of Health: Public health guidelines for the safe management of mercury waste in dentistry:
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/salud-publica-lineamientos-para-la-gestion-segura-de-residuos-con-mercurio-en-odontologia
Uruguay to Ban Dental Amalgams Due to Mercury’s Impact on Health and the Environment:
https://www.gub.uy/presidencia/comunicacion/noticias/uruguay-prohibira-amalgamas-dentales-impacto-mercurio-salud-ambiente
Uruguay shares its regional experience to move towards the progressive elimination of dental amalgam:
https://www.paho.org/es/noticias/5-3-2026-uruguay-comparte-su-experiencia-regional-para-avanzar-hacia-eliminacion