Authors: Arotiba GT, Ijarogbe OA, Awotile AO, Loto OA, Menakaya I, Umesi DC, Ajayi Y, Ukpong MO, Otoh EC, Adogame L
This paper briefly reviewed the environmental-human impact of dental amalgam with reference to the recent decision of the minamata convention’s 3 rd conference of the parties to accelerate phase down of dental mercury amalgam. The emergence of minimum intervention dentistry (MID) as the evidence based 21 st century approach to the management of dental caries was also high - lighted as well as the desirable properties of the ideal 21 st century tooth filling material. A ‘leapfrogging’ dental mercury amalgam phase down strategy was advocated for Africa and other developing economies that took cognizance of the poor infrastructure for sorting, collection, transport and treatment of wastes generally and mercury wastes in particular. Short term and Long term ‘leapfrogging’ phase down strategies were discussed. Developing economies should develop oral health policies with prevention, promotion, integration, partnerships and focus on basic package of oral care (BPOC) as cornerstone principles in order to protect the health of their citizens. They should also put in place concrete plans to develop general and mercury waste management infrastructures in the near future. This is important if they are to protect their environment and the health of their citizens from environmental pollution challenges that may arise in the near future.
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