Scotland publishes action plan on restricting dental amalgam

  • Date: 27 June 2019

AN action plan to reduce the use of dental amalgam has been published by the Scottish Government as part of a UK-wide response to an EU directive on reducing mercury in the environment.

The United Kingdom has a duty under European Union (EU) Regulation 2017/852 on Mercury (Article 10 (3)) to develop national plans to phase down use of amalgam in dentistry. Scotland has already taken action with the introduction of new restrictions on 1 July 2018.

Clinical best practice guidelines highlighting alternatives to amalgam are supported by the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP). This guidance has been made available to all dental teams in Scotland and covers expectant/new mothers and those under 15 years of age. 

Tom Ferris, interim chief dental officer in Scotland said: We are committed to an approach that is both good for the environment and ensures that patients and practitioners are able to access the best care.

"Through the measures outlined in moving to a preventive model of care the government believes that oral health outcomes will improve and a phase-down of amalgam usage will be a key outcome, as disease prevention and alternative materials improve"

Link: Amalgam dental fillings: action plan

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