COP6 Decision on Dental Amalgam Secures an Equity-Focused, Patient-Centred Approach

A landmark decision was reached at the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, where Parties agreed to set 2034 as the global phase-out date after which the manufacture, import, or export of dental amalgam will no longer be permitted. The decision marks a major win for oral and public health and underscores the power of unified, science-based advocacy led by FDI World Dental Federation and the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR).

Crucially, the final decision includes a key exemption ensuring that even after phase-out, dental amalgam can be used 'when its use is considered necessary by the dental practitioner based on the needs of the patient.' This provision ensures that patient care remains at the centre of decision-making, safeguarding access to essential restorative treatments where alternatives are not yet available or viable.

FDI and IADR, with the support of the International Dental Manufacturers Association and the American Dental Association, worked throughout the negotiations to secure a balanced outcome. Their coordinated advocacy emphasised that while accelerating the phase-down is essential, it must be achieved through an evidence-based, patient-centred, and equitable transition that is fair to all countries and considers their specific challenges and capacities.

"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 the necessary national policies."

The 2034 phase-out date gives Parties nine years to adapt their national strategies and healthcare systems. This aligns closely with FDI and IADR's long-standing position advocating for a coordinated and equity-focused phase-down that allows all countries — especially low- and middle-income nations — to strengthen capacity, build technical expertise, and ensure continuity of patient care during the transition. The Seventh Conference of the Parties (COP7) will take place in June 2027.