Experts hailing from twenty-one nations assembled in Bangkok on 14-15 May 2018 to present case studies, exchange ideas, and discuss strategies for ending the use of amalgam in “women, children, and through them, future generations.”
The United Nations Environment – World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry co-sponsored workshop brought together many experts – including leaders from government, non-profit groups, dentistry, manufacturing, universities, and United Nations – to share their wealth of experience in contributing to the end of amalgam use for children and others in a variety of settings. For example:
- In South Asia, both the Bangladeshi Armed Forces and the Indian Armed Forces provide only mercury-free fillings for their soldiers, sailors, and airmen – and their families, including children.
- In Central Africa, the Cameroun Baptist Convention ended amalgam use at its large hospital and its dental clinics that dot the nation – and they did it more than a decade ago!
- In West Africa, the Nigerian federal Consumer Protection Council distributes a brochure urging parents and consumers to consider mercury-free fillings for themselves and their children.
- In South America, Uruguay’s dental college has phased out teaching amalgam and started preparing all of its students for modern mercury-free dentistry.
- In both the large European Union (half a billion people) and the tiny island nation of Mauritius (1 million people), amalgam use for children has come to an effective end – giving the workshop participants prototypes for moving forward.
Workshop participants concluded that phasing out amalgam for children is feasible and can be done now. Indeed, a number of governments, dental associations, and non-profit groups indicated that this is their immediate goal. Their discussions are summarized in the workshop report.
