Indian Health Service to phase out use of dental fillings containing mercury by 2027

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 5:29 PM EST, February 15, 2026


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The federal agency that provides health care to Native Americans and Alaska Natives has announced it will phase out the use of dental fillings containing mercury.

The Indian Health Service has used fillings, known as dental amalgams, that contain elemental mercury to treat decayed and otherwise damaged teeth for decades. Native American rights and industry advocates have called for an end to the practice, arguing it exposes patients who may not have access to private dentistry to a harmful neurotoxin.

The use of mercury-containing amalgams, also known as “silver fillings” due to their appearance, has declined sharply since 2009 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reclassified the devices from low to moderate risk. The industry has largely abandoned them in favor of plastic resin alternatives, which are also preferred for aesthetic reasons.

The Indian Health Service says it will fully implement the move to mercury-free alternatives by 2027. Already, the percentage of the Indian Health Service’s roughly 2.8 million patient user population receiving them has declined from 12% in 2005 to 2% in 2023, the latest year of available data, agency documents show.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/mercury-dental-fillings-amalgams-indian-health-native-american-05553a57c70efedc48b4fd078a2eba3a

[AllyCat]

1. What??? They are still using them?

This is 2026!

[BumRushDaShow]

2. That was surprising to me too

as I knew that had been phased out some time ago.

[Jilly_in_VA]

3. NOBODY should be using these!

My Native brothers and sisters, come to a RAM clinic near you! We promise not to use mercury based fillings in your teeth! And Remote Access Medical, take note and schedule more clinics near reservations!!