Mercury amalgam global phase-out date set for 2034

A significant outcome of the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP-6) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury has reshaped the global conversation on dental amalgam. Delegates from 153 nations have agreed to extend a proposed 2030 phase-out date to 2034, establishing a more realistic and equitable timeline for countries to adapt their dental systems to mercury-free alternatives.

The ADA accepts this decision as a patient-focused, evidence-based advance that aligns more closely (than the initial proposal) with our advocacy for a gradual phase-down, rather than an abrupt ban.

Balanced global decision supports patient care

The final COP-6 resolution includes a crucial exemption allowing dental practitioners to use amalgam “when its use is considered necessary … based on the needs of the patient”. This ensures that patient care remains at the centre, providing flexibility in clinical decision-making – particularly for cases where durable and affordable alternatives are not available.

This outcome reflects advocacy by the FDI World Dental Federation, the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, and others – including the ADA. These groups have emphasised that a successful transition requires science-based decision-making, parity across economies, and protection for disadvantaged populations.

Implications for Australian practice

Australia’s framework under the Minamata Convention already includes rigorous encapsulation, waste capture, and mercury emission controls. These standards, combined with the 2034 phase-out date, give Australian dentists and policymakers time to refine clinical and public health strategies without disrupting patient access or compromising treatment quality.

Public dental programs, which often rely on amalgam’s durability and cost-effectiveness, will particularly benefit from this extended timeline. The ADA continues to support measures that allow amalgam use when clinically appropriate and to maintain equity for patients in rural, remote, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.

Focus on research, prevention, and sustainability

Dental representative groups have called for intensified global research into safe, affordable, and sustainable alternatives, alongside greater emphasis on preventive oral healthcare. The ADA supports these priorities, advocating for policies that balance environmental responsibility with equitable patient outcomes.

As Australia prepares for the Seventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-7) in 2027, the dental community will play a vital role in shaping national strategies that align with the new global timeline, protecting both oral health and the environment.

Reassuring patients – environmental focus, not health risks

Australian dentists can confidently assure patients that the international phase-out of dental amalgam is an environmental measure aimed at reducing mercury emissions, rather than a response to personal health concerns. According to leading dental research organisations, dental amalgam remains a safe restorative material for the general population, with no evidence supporting routine removal of existing fillings except in cases of allergy or specific medical need. The phase-out is aligned with the Minamata Convention and global sustainability goals, focusing on limiting mercury pollution, rather than reflecting any risk substantiated by clinical data. Patients can be reassured that their existing amalgam fillings do not pose health risks, and unnecessary replacements are not clinically warranted.