Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:121 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Health and Children if dentists are being encouraged to phase out fillings which contain mercury; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27595/03]
Written Answers. - Dental Services.
The dental profession is largely a self regulating profession governed by the statutory provision of the Dentist's Act 1985.
In general, there is a natural decline in the use of amalgam as a filling material in adults and children. In children, there is a greatly increased use of fissure sealants and composite resin based materials instead of amalgam. With adults, there is a similar pattern with composite fillings increasing in number mainly due to concerns about aesthetics.
However, amalgam fillings continue to be used in back teeth as they last longer. Dental practice and dental materials continue to evolve and in time it is likely that composite materials will slowly replace amalgam as the material of first choice.