Experts hailing from 21 nations assembled in Bangkok last month to present case studies, exchange ideas and discuss strategies for ending the use of amalgam in “women, children and, through them, future generations.”
The World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, along with our cosponsor United Nations Environment, brought together many experts – including leaders from government, non-profit groups, dentistry, manufacturing, universities and the United Nations – to share their wealth of experience in contributing to the end of amalgam use for children and others in a variety of settings. For example:
- In South Asia, both the Bangladeshi Armed Forces and the Indian Armed Forces provide only mercury-free fillings for their soldiers, sailors and airmen – and their families, including children.
- In Central Africa, the Cameroun Baptist Convention ended amalgam use at its large hospital and its dental clinics that dot the nation – and they did it more than a decade ago!
- In West Africa, the Nigerian federal Consumer Protection Council distributes a brochure urging parents and consumers to consider mercury-free fillings for themselves and their children.
- In South America, Uruguay’s dental college has phased out teaching amalgam and started preparing all of its students for modern mercury-free dentistry.
- In both the large European Union (half a billion people) and the island nation of Mauritius (1 million people), amalgam use for children has come to an effective end – giving the workshop participants prototypes for moving forward.
Workshop participants concluded that phasing out amalgam for children is feasible and can be done now. Indeed, a number of governments, dental associations, and non-profit groups indicated that this is their immediate goal – and the key transition step to an amalgam ban!