The Ministry of Health reaffirmed at the 6th Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention (COP 6) the country’s commitment to gradually reduce the use of dental amalgams containing mercury. The ministry also stated that it supports the total elimination of the use of the league. 
According to the Ministry of Health, Brazil is in a position to support the elimination of the use of dental amalgam, but defended a “gradual and safe” transition, so as not to compromise the population’s access to dental treatments offered by the Unified Health System (SUS).
“The Brazilian position highlights public health, environmental protection and compliance with the goals of the Minamata Convention, which aims to reduce the impacts of mercury on human health and the environment. In addition to encouraging restorative practices based on the principle of minimum intervention”, explains the ministry’s general coordinator of Oral Health, Edson Hilan.
According to the ministry, since 2017 Brazil has exclusively used encapsulated amalgam, which guarantees safe handling and minimizes occupational and environmental exposure to mercury.
Between 2019 and 2024, the use of amalgam in Brazil fell from around 5% to 2% of all restorative dental procedures, the result of replacement with alternative materials, such as composite resins and glass ionomer.
