2019 Reports Under the Products Containing Mercury Regulations
In 2015, the Products Containing Mercury Regulations came into force across the country in a firm commitment by the Government of Canada to reduce the risk to the environment and human health from mercury found in products. These regulations broadly prohibit the import and manufacture of products containing mercury or any of its compounds into Canada, with some exceptions where there is not a technically or economically viable alternative.
In response to the recent publication of the 2019 report under the Products Containing Mercury Regulations, Dr. Benoit Soucy, Director of Clinical and Scientific Affairs and leading expert on dental amalgam at the Canadian Dental Association, gives an overview of the impact the regulations have had so far, and highlights the role Canadian dentists are playing in the process.
Here are some of the key takeaways from both the conversation and the report:
- The use of mercury products in Canada is declining rapidly. Between 2016 and 2019, there was 63% drop in the total number of products containing mercury that were imported into or manufactured in Canada.
- In 2019, 1.1 million dental amalgam capsules were imported into Canada, down from 1.5 million in 2016. This represents a 25% decrease and follows significant reductions already achieved in the previous 5-10 years.
- These reductions can be attributed to two factors:
- Reduced rate of tooth decay
- A better understanding of which material works best for each individual patient
- Going forward the dental profession needs to:
- Keep in mind that the needs of the patient should dictate the choice of materials. Whenever both amalgam and another material are expected to perform equally well, opt for the material with the lesser environmental impact.
- Adopt Minimal Intervention Dentistry (MID) for managing Dental Caries
- Make sure that the overall need for restorative material goes down by reducing the rates of decay.
HELPFUL LINKS:
- Canadian Dental Association: CDA Position on Dental Amalgam
- FDI World Dental Federation: Minimal Intervention Dentistry (MID) for Managing Dental Caries
- Government of Canada: Key results from the 2019 reports under the Products Containing Mercury Regulations
We hope you find the conversation useful. We welcome your thoughts, questions and/or suggestions about this post and other topics. Leave a comment in the box below or send us your feedback by email.
Until next time!
CDA Oasis Team
