Plan for the abolition of dental amalgam by 2030 : National plan required by an EU regulation

Abstract

Mercury is a contaminant, one of the leading sources of which in Europe is dental amalgam. The aim of the Minamata Convention’s Regulation on Mercury (EU 2017/852), which was implemented in the EU, is to minimise and, where feasible, entirely eliminate global anthropogenic mercury releases by the year 2030. The Regulation is to be regarded as directly applicable legislation in Finland. Each EU country must publish a national plan for the abolition of dental amalgam and the collection of accumulated dental amalgam waste by 1 July 2019.

In Finland, the use of dental amalgam has decreased from year to year to a level where it only constitutes clearly less than 1% of all dental fillings produced. Even though the majority of Finnish dentists have abandoned dental amalgam, it still has a user base. In fact, there are some indications that fillings made from amalgam would appear to be more durable and affordable than other filling materials. Many Finns still have old amalgam fillings in their teeth due to their longevity. In Finland, the collection of waste generated from the removal of amalgam fillings has been handled appropriately, but more detailed instructions are required for the recycling of secondary waste that has been contaminated with mercury.

Although very little amalgam is used in Finland, its full abolition requires comprehensive cooperation with regard to material development, communications and education, among other things. This document presents the national action plan for abolishing amalgam in Finland by the year 2030.