DT News - UK - Mercury treaty sensible says BDA

British Dental Association

Mon. 14 October 2013

save

LONDON – The British Dental Association (BDA) believes that the signing of a globally-binding treaty on the use of mercury is a sensible outcome that recognises the practicalities of improving oral health. The treaty was endorsed at a meeting in Minamata, Japan, on 10 October. It requires nations to phase down the use of dental amalgam fillings, of which mercury is a component, over an appropriate period of time.

The signing of the treaty follows years of discussion by the United Nations’ Environmental Programme’s Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (UNEPINC). During those discussions BDA lobbying stressed the importance of avoiding a complete phase-out of the use of mercury in dentistry, particularly in a short timeframe. The BDA warned that more time is needed both for preventive oral health initiatives to be implemented and show results, and for suitable alternative filling materials to be developed.

BDA representatives Drs Stuart Johnston and Susie Sanderson, both members of the organisation’s Principal Executive Committee, led international lobbying on behalf of dental associations around the world. The final terms of the treaty were agreed at a meeting of UNEPINC held in Geneva in January.

Dr Johnston, who led the World Dental Federation Amalgam Task Team during the talks, said: “We welcome the fact that this treaty strikes a sensible balance between the very understandable imperative to reduce global mercury emissions and the need to have the tools available for dental professionals worldwide to continue the fight to improve oral health.

“It takes a holistic view that recognises both the unique contribution that dental amalgam – a hard-wearing, safe and long-lasting material used in dental restorations – makes in dentistry, while also acknowledging the importance of reducing mercury emissions from all sources, including from far more significant industries including coal burning and gold mining.

“Importantly, it also acknowledges the crucial role that preventive oral health programmes can make to reducing need and demand for fillings.”

To post a reply please login or register

BDA says Manchester congress to be held as planned despite attack

MANCHESTER, UK: The British Dental Association (BDA) in London has announced that extra security measures have been put in place for its upcoming conference...

SARS-CoV-2 infection, reinfection and immunity: What researchers say

HARLOW, UK: Now that many questions regarding COVID-19, including its symptoms, risks and recovery time, have been answered, researchers are faced with a ...

Five ways in which Perio plus regenerate protects your patients

KRIENS, Switzerland: A proper mouthrinse at the proper time can go a long way towards protecting your patient’s oral and overall health. Perio plus ...

Periodontitis could increase stroke risk, new study says

BELÉM, Brazil/RUGBY, UK: A recent study has investigated the association between stroke and periodontitis, one of the most common human diseases affecting ...

Dental volunteers treat hundreds of children in Philippines

MANDAUE, Philippines: Four volunteers working with Dentaid, a dental charity that provides essential dental care to people in the UK and to people in many ...

New device to treat caries with electric remineralisation

LONDON – British researchers have developed a device that takes the pain out of tooth decay treatment by electrically reversing the process to help ...

Seats still available for London symposium, Nobel Biocare says

LONDON, UK/ZURICH, Switzerland: Inventor of the All-on-4 treatment concept Dr Paulo Malo from Portugal is only one of the world-renowned experts that has ...

AG.Live—digitisation pays off

KOBLACH, Austria: Amann Girrbach is all about supporting laboratories in the organisation of digital dental workflows. With the AG.Live digital platform, ...

GDC says more details on complaints system changes available soon

LONDON, UK: The General Dental Council (GDC) yesterday announced it will publish details by the end of January on how it wants to change the current ...

Scotland’s poorest paying the price for dental crisis, says British Dental Association

EDINBURGH, Scotland: Fresh statistics from Public Health Scotland have revealed widening oral healthcare inequities in Scotland, and the British Dental ...

Education

Live webinar
Thu. 2 October 2025
2:00 pm UTC (London)