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Lessons learned from countries phasing out dental amalgam in public programs

Experiences from European countries demonstrate successful pathways for the transition to mercury-free oral health care. As effective and affordable alternatives are available, the primary challenge remains, to establish financial arrangements with dentists to provide aesthetic fillings in public programs. It should be borne in mind that dental amalgam is far more expensive than most, if not all, alternative materials when the high environmental costs are taken into account…

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June 24, 2026

EUDAMED registration becomes mandatory

From 28 May 2026, manufacturers are required to register medical devices covered by certificates under the Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR) in the European Database on Medical Devices (EUDAMED).
Mandatory EUDAMED registration will provide regulators, market operators, and stakeholders with a much clearer picture of the European dental amalgam market — including which manufacturers are active, which products are certified, and whether regulatory obligations are being met.

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June 23, 2026

Updated: Global Dental Amalgam Tracker

Global Overview of Countries Phasing Out Dental Amalgam: According to the Minamata Conventions Full National Reports 2021, the MIAs, or other official documents, the global transition to a mercury-free dentistry is fully underway…

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May 28, 2026

Uruguay bans dental amalgam use

Uruguay has officially prohibited the use of dental amalgam through Ordenanza N° 285/026, marking a major milestone in reducing mercury exposure. The Minister of Public Health, Cristina Lustemberg, followed through on her commitment—introducing the ban just 2 weeks after the WHO regional workshop on the gradual reduction of dental amalgam held in Montevideo.

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April 23, 2026

Updated: Implementation of the Children’s Amendment

The Children’s Amendment to protect Children from the harm of mercury containing fillings entered into force on 28 September 2023. Until today only 52% of the Parties of the Minamata Convention comply with this regulation, 10 Parties have not yet ratified the amendment and 41,5% (!) did not take any measure to protect Children, almost three years after it became law…

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April 20, 2026

Argentina advances toward mercury-free dentistry

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…

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March 13, 2026

WHO Guideline for Mercury-free Dentistry

On Thursday, 19 March 2026 (13:00–14:30 CET), WHO will host the global launch of its new guideline: Environmentally friendly and less invasive oral health care for preventing and managing dental caries. The guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to support countries in preventing and managing dental caries through environmentally sustainable and less invasive approaches that promote patient safety, quality of care and environmental protection… 

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March 3, 2026

U.S. Indian Health Service to End Use of Dental Amalgam by 2027

The federal agency that provides health care to Native Americans and Alaska Natives has announced it will phase out the use of dental fillings containing mercury. The agency will update its policies to eliminate amalgam dental restorations and invest in training and clinical infrastructure for composite and alternative restorations… 

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February 19, 2026

Croatia Enforces Dental Amalgam Ban with Strict Penalties

Croatia has amended its national legislation to implement the EU mercury Regulation (EU) 2024/1849 to phase out dental amalgam. The amendments clarify the responsibilities of inspection authorities, define penalties, and structure the mandatory reporting to the European Commission…

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February 4, 2026