Amalgam phase-out, an environmental safety concern: a crosssectional study among general dental practitioners in Pakistan

Abstract

Amalgam has been the gold standard for restorations in posterior teeth. Mercury, a major component of dental amalgam, is considered an environmental pollutant. The Minamata Convention on mercury recomends a reduction in the use of mercury-containing products. Since Pakistan is a signatory to the Convention, the same amalgam phase-out limitations are implemented in Pakistan. To identify and assess the use of amalgam and its waste management by dentists in Pakistan post-Minamata Convention guidelines. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore among 520 general dental practitioners in 2019. The sample size for the study was calculated as 500; the questionnaire was distributed among 550 dentists. Dental amalgam was used by only 41.6% of the dentists in their practice; 55.0% perceived it to be a health risk. Most of the dentists (76.3%) were unaware of the proper disposal protocols for dental amalgam and 76.5% were unaware of any guidelines regarding amalgam use and disposal. Although there is a gap in knowledge among the dentists regarding amalgam disposal, dentists in Pakistan are reducing their use of dental amalgam in accordance with the guidelines of the Minamata Convention.