Dentists in Singapore will continue to use mercury-based dental amalgam in selected clinical situations but aim to minimise its use in line with global public health recommendations.
- Clinical choice: Composite resin and other alternatives are preferred in most cases, but amalgam may still be used for deep cavities where moisture control is difficult.
- Health context: The World Health Organization has called for a phase-out of mercury in dental fillings by 2034, but Singapore practitioners emphasise tailored material selection based on clinical needs.
- Exposure data: Local dental experts note low levels of mercury vapour release from amalgam fillings and no significant health differences compared with composite restorations in available studies.
This summary is based on a news article published by The Straits Times.