- The European Parliament is set to ban dental amalgam amid fears over its toxicity
- Dental leaders have warned the move would be disastrous for the UK
Dentists could struggle to perform fillings if a proposed EU mercury ban gets the green light tomorrow.
The European Parliament is set to ban dental amalgam – used in common silver fillings – amid fears over its toxicity.
Dental leaders have warned the move would be disastrous for the UK, which relies on the “safe and effective” treatment for millions of fillings every year.
They say a ban on use, manufacture and export from January 2025 will disrupt supplies and increase costs between NHS and private dentists.
Eddie Crouch, chairman, said: “Since the birth of NHS dentistry, amalgam has been the go-to material for fighting tooth decay.
European Parliament to ban dental amalgam – used in common silver fillings – amid fears over its toxicity
Only 43 per cent of over-18s visited a dentist in the 24 months to June 2023, compared with more than half in the same period before the pandemic
“Nothing beats durability, ease of installation or cost-effectiveness.
“If this vote passes and the government does not step up, the impact will be felt in practices across the UK and among the millions already struggling to access care.”
The debate has raged for decades as more than half of amalgam fillings are made of mercury, which is more poisonous than lead.
It is mixed with silver, copper and tin, forming an extremely durable combination to lock in mercury.
But it is now accepted that mercury vapor escapes and small amounts enter the bloodstream and organs, particularly when they are inserted or removed.
Some proponents suggest that the fillings are highly toxic, linking their use to certain neurological or autoimmune disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
However, UK health officials say there is no evidence that exposure to mercury from amalgam fillings has harmful health effects.
In 2018, an EU directive stopped silver fillings on baby teeth and children under 15, unless dentists deem it necessary. They are also not administered to pregnant or lactating women.
Its latest move is based on the environment, in line with the goals of the European Green Deal, the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability 2020 and the EU Zero Pollutant Action Plan 2021.
Any mercury released into the environment can re-enter the food chain with residues being found in soils, fish and seafood.
High mercury exposure can damage the brain, lungs, kidneys and human immune system.
If approved, it would see EU countries – and Northern Ireland under post-Brexit arrangements – join Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany in ending the use.
While there are long-standing plans to phase out use in the UK, experts fear an abrupt halt would represent a multi-million pound blow to already strained services, destabilizing NHS dentistry.
With patients already facing long waits for NHS appointments, the push towards white fillings would make it worse, taking longer to apply and often requiring repeat placements.
It comes just weeks after a report by the Nuffield Trust warned that NHS dentistry is “gone for good” and needs to be handed out to those most in need.
Describing it as the most dangerous point in its 75-year history, he said a radical overhaul was needed, including looking at patient resources and limiting provisions to emergency treatment and tests.
