COP6 decision on dental amalgam secures equity-focused, patient-centred transition
GENEVA: A landmark global agreement at the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury has set 2034 as the final global phase-out date for dental amalgam, marking a historic turning point for oral health, patient safety, and environmental responsibility.
The decision ensures that after 2034, the manufacture, import, or export of dental amalgam will no longer be permitted. It represents a major milestone in global efforts to reduce mercury usage while safeguarding equitable access to dental care.
This balanced and equity-driven approach was achieved through science-based advocacy led by the FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) and the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR), supported by the International Dental Manufacturers Association (IDM) and the American Dental Association (ADA).
Equity-focused advocacy leads to extended phase-out timeline
FDI and IADR successfully advocated for extending the original 2030 phase-out proposal to 2034, ensuring a realistic, evidence-based timeline that allows all countries—especially low- and middle-income nations—to strengthen infrastructure, research, and patient access to alternative restorative materials.
Crucially, the final COP6 decision includes a key exemption allowing dental amalgam use “when its use is considered necessary by the dental practitioner based on the needs of the patient.” This ensures patient care remains central, protecting access to essential restorative treatment options 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,” said Mr. Enzo Bondioni, Executive Director of FDI. “This outcome provides much-needed time and clarity for our members to plan, prepare, and implement national policies while maintaining continuity of care and advancing oral health equity.”
Science and collaboration drive the decision
Over four days of intensive negotiations in Geneva, FDI and IADR delivered coordinated statements emphasizing that while the phase-down of mercury is essential, it must be science-led and patient-centred.
Their advocacy highlighted three key areas:
- The continued clinical relevance of dental amalgam in restorative dentistry, particularly in underserved populations.
- The need for research and innovation in affordable and sustainable mercury-free restorative materials.
- The importance of proper waste management to reduce environmental mercury exposure globally.
This evidence-based approach resonated with policymakers, ensuring the global phase-out date was extended to 2034—a move that balances public health, environmental protection, and patient welfare.
Commitment to innovation and sustainable dentistry
“Science and evidence must remain at the heart of every global health policy decision,” said Dr. Christopher Fox, CEO of IADR. “This outcome reflects the progress made through investment in mercury-free alternatives by both public and private sectors. IADR remains committed to supporting research that ensures no one is left behind in this transition.”
The decision grants nations nine years to adapt national health strategies, train dental professionals, and ensure the availability of safe, effective, and accessible alternative restorative materials.
By adopting a flexible, practitioner-led exemption, COP6 ensures continuity of patient care during the transition while preventing the widening of existing oral health inequalities.
Looking ahead: Global collaboration for a mercury-free future
The Minamata Convention on Mercury, which entered into force in 2017, now includes 153 parties as of September 2025. Its next meeting, COP7, will be held in June 2027, coinciding with the Convention’s tenth anniversary.
As countries move toward 2034, the dental community—backed by FDI, IADR, IDM, and ADA—will continue driving innovation in mercury-free materials, promoting sustainable oral healthcare, and supporting equitable access to restorative care worldwide.
This historic agreement underscores that environmental health and oral health must advance together, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and patient-focused global transition.
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