We’ve reached another landmark in the march toward mercury-free dentistry for Europe.  Just hours ago, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee voted overwhelmingly to phase out all amalgam use by December 31, 2022.
Of course, this development did not happen overnight.  Our strong European allies have been putting the building blocks in place for years:

• In 2012, the independent consultant hired by the European Commission (EC) urged the EU to “ban the use of mercury in dentistry.”

• In 2013, dental manufacturers devoted an entire day to “The Demise of Amalgam Use” at the European Dental Materials Conference.

• In 2014, the EC’s scientific committee on environment confirmed that amalgam can convert to even more toxic methylmercury in the environment, creating “a risk for secondary poisoning.”

• In early 2015, the EC’s scientific committee on health recommended mercury-free fillings for “primary teeth in children and for pregnant patients.”

• In late 2015, the EC’s online public consultation asked EU citizens: should amalgam use be phased down…or phased out? 88% of respondents voted to phase out amalgam use.

The World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry will continue to push for the phase out of amalgam in the EU as we move to the next stage of the regulatory process.