Correction: Dental Amalgam Wording

Summary#

This is an erratum published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on February 4, 2023 that corrects the English wording about dental amalgam in the earlier notice on the Regulations Amending the Products Containing Mercury Regulations. The corrected text records stakeholder concerns, the government’s view that amalgam is safe for the general population, and a reported 25% decline in reliance on amalgam between 2016 and 2019.

What it does#

• Replaces the English-language paragraphs under the heading “Dental amalgam” in the December notice (originally published December 24, 2022).
• Summarizes concerns raised by some associations of Indigenous Peoples and other stakeholder groups, including that:
  • other countries have banned dental amalgam completely or partially;
  • mercury-free alternatives are widely available; and
  • the Convention calls for a phase-down of dental amalgam use.
• Records that some stakeholders think any exemption for amalgam should be limited to specific medical cases.
• Records the Government of Canada’s position that it supports a phase-down approach and has taken actions to:
  • reduce the need for dental restorations;
  • reduce mercury releases from dental facilities; and
  • restrict the use of dental amalgam to encapsulated products.
• Notes that reliance on dental amalgam in Canada has been declining, including a reported 25% drop between 2016 and 2019.
• States that, based on scientific evidence including recent Canadian studies, the mercury absorbed from amalgams is not at a level of concern for most Canadians and that the government considers amalgam use safe for the general population.
• Says a further phase-down “should occur” alongside better dental health promotion, disease prevention programs and more research into alternative restorative materials.

Who's affected#

• Dentists and dental clinics, because the text discusses how amalgam is used and restricted in practice.
• People with or considering dental fillings (patients), who may be concerned about health or replacement options.
• Indigenous Peoples and other stakeholder groups who raised concerns and advocated for stricter limits.
• Regulators, public health bodies and environmental groups following mercury rules and phase-down plans.
• Dental-material manufacturers and suppliers of mercury-free alternatives.

This notice is an erratum that corrects published wording. It does not itself explain any change to legal requirements; the source does not clearly say whether the correction changes regulatory obligations.

Why it matters#

• It clarifies the official published record about what stakeholders said and what the Government of Canada’s position is on dental amalgam safety and phase-down steps.
• The 25% decline between 2016 and 2019 highlights that use of amalgam in Canada is already falling, which could influence future dental practice and policy debates.
• The corrected text may affect public trust and discussion about whether and how quickly Canada should move away from amalgam, and about possible medical exemptions.