If the European Parliament gets its way, dental silver fillings in the U.K. will be gone by January 2025 — and that has dentists in a tizzy, as about one-third of the amalgam used in their practices is made up of the banned silver fillings.

The ban could mean “supply chain issues across the U.K.,” according to the Bromsgrove Advertiser. It might even bankrupt some practices that are heavily dependent on silver fillings, and could be a “further blow to the financial viability of NHS dentistry.”

It’s not like the ban is taking away their right to do fillings — there are other, reliable and safer alternatives. It’s just that mercury/silver fillings are toxic, and even the U.S. FDA has issued warnings for pregnant women and young children not to get the silver fillings.  

But the alternatives cost a little more and they take a little more time to put in. The only question, then, is why does the dentistry industry think consumers should settle for less safe materials just so industry can make a little more money?

SOURCES:

Bromsgrove Advertiser January 17, 2024

U.S. FDA September 24, 2020