The European Parliament has voted to ban dental amalgam from 1 January 2025. It’s a move that will send shockwaves across the UK’s already struggling dental services.
Even before the birth of the NHS, amalgam was the go-to material – and it remains the most common material for NHS permanent fillings in all corners of the UK.
On14 July, the European Commission adopted a proposal to revise the Mercury Regulation, to introduce a total phase-out of the use of dental amalgam and prohibit the manufacture and export of dental amalgam from the EU from 1January 2025 - 5 years earlier than expected.
This vote will hit all four home nations but will have a disproportionate impact on services in Northern Ireland, which tops the UK league table for oral health in equality, and has the highest proportion of filled teeth.
Under post Brexit arrangements, Northern Ireland will be expected to phase out dental amalgam on the same basis as EU member states. Divergence means the rest of the UK faces disruption and higher costs given the impact on supply chains, but not a formal ban.
Inan open letter to all four UK Chief Dental Officers the British Dental Assocition position clear. they stressed that there are currently no alternative restorative materials that compete with amalgam on speed of placement or longevity.
So,the British Dental Association urges all four CDOs to work together and with the profession and industry to:
MEPs backed amendments stating that Member States need to “ensure appropriate reimbursement is made available for mercury-free alternatives” to limit the socio-economic impact. That is precisely what’s needed from UK Governments.
Without action a ban will eat into clinical time and resource that are in shortsupply, likely creating further access barriers. There are no indicationswhere the millions in additional funding required will come from nor theworkforce to carry out the tens of thousands of extra clinical hours.
TheNuffield Trust warned in December that NHS dentistry was at the most precariousmoment in its 75-year history. Without decisive action, this ban will onlyhasten the service’s demise.
The British Dental Association have long supported a phase-down in dental amalgam. But this rapid phase-out is neither feasible nor justifiable. Dental amalgam has been in use and extensively studied for 150 years as a restorative material. Its safety and durability are well established, and it remains the most popular material for a range of clinical situations.
“Whenwe are set to lose a key weapon in the treatment of tooth decay all four UKGovernments appear asleep at the wheel” says BDA Chair Eddie Crouch.
“Whenalternative materials can’t compete, this will add new costs and newuncertainties to practices already on the brink.”
“Withoutdecisive action this could be the straw that breaks the back of NHS dentistry.”
BDA will be developing FAQs for members as they secure answers.
