The use of silver dental fillings is to be scaled down from July 1, the Irish Dental Association (IDA) has said.

Dental amalgam fillings, which are silver coloured, contain several metals including mercury. According to the IDA, these new regulations are being introduced mainly for environmental reasons, with the aim of reducing the amount of mercury in the environment.

From July 1, dentists will no longer use dental amalgam on the teeth of children under the age of 15, pregnant women, or women who are breastfeeding, unless it is deemed necessary by a dentist on medical grounds.

"Placing or removing amalgam fillings can cause mercury waste to be released into the environment and that is why its use is being phased down. However, it will continue to be a treatment option for all other patients for the time being," explained IDA president, Dr Kieran O'Connor.

According to Dr Eamon Croke, who helped to produce the IDA's patient information leaflet on this issue, dental amalgam fillings are safe, strong and long lasting.

"Dental amalgam has been in use for over 150 years and its safety and reliability has been well researched. In certain circumstances a dental amalgam filling may be the best option to achieve a safe and satisfactory outcome and if that is the case the dentist will explain why.

"However, if a patient doesn't agree they should say it to their dentist so alternative arrangements can be put in place. Medical card patients should also note that dentists are not permitted to provide them with white fillings for their back teeth," he said.

He noted that while the use of silver fillings may stop entirely in the future, ‘further research and testing of other filling materials is needed before amalgam can be replaced'.

"Of course, the best solution is to avoid the need for fillings altogether. The best way to do this is to reduce the number of times you eat or drink sugar-containing food or drink, brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and drink tap water which has teeth-protecting fluoride in it," Dr Croke commented.

This decision came about due to Ireland's signing of the United Nations (UN) Minamata Convention on Mercury five years ago. New EU regulations governing dental amalgam stem from the phased implementation of this UN agreement.

"The convention brought about a global agreement to reduce environmental contamination caused by mercury. It includes a ban on new mercury mines, the phasing out of existing ones and the phase down of mercury use in a number of products and processes," Dr O'Connor said.