WHO Releases First Guidelines for Dental Caries Prevention and Management, Recommending 8 Suggestions Including Mercury-Free Materials as Alternatives to Amalgam

DentalGoodNews｜March 3, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its first global guideline, "Environmentally Sustainable and Minimally Invasive Oral Healthcare for Caries Prevention and Management" (hereinafter referred to as the "Guideline"). The Guideline provides 8 evidence-based recommendations and 2 best practice statements, covering the complete clinical pathway from caries prevention to restoration.

The 8 recommendations include the following intervention types: fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride (SDF), fluoride toothpaste, glass ionomer cement (GIC) sealant, atraumatic restorative treatment (ART), preventive resin restoration, minimally invasive caries removal techniques, and mercury-free restorative materials. The 2 best practice statements are aimed at system-level implementation, and all the above recommendations are accompanied by evidence grading.

The Guideline lists resin-based composites and glass ionomer cement as alternatives to dental amalgam. Resin materials containing bisphenol A (BPA) have usage restrictions for pregnant women and children under 8 years old, and clinicians should refer to product instructions when selecting them. This material pathway responds to the Minamata Convention on Mercury's goal of phased reduction of amalgam, with the Global Environment Facility Seventh Replenishment (GEF7) project providing supporting assistance for material transition in developing countries.

The Guideline aligns with the WHO "Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030," requiring countries to integrate preventive oral healthcare into universal health coverage (UHC) systems and advocating for the integration of oral healthcare into primary health care (PHC) systems to reduce reliance on specialized care. Benoit Varenne, WHO Technical Officer for Oral Health, stated: "This is the first time there is evidence-based proof that safe, minimally invasive interventions using mercury-free products can effectively prevent, arrest, and manage dental caries." Dévora Kestel, Acting Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, also provided remarks on the Guideline. Neither official gave specific details regarding an implementation timeline.

It is reported that WHO will host a global launch webinar on March 19, 2026 (Beijing Time 20:00–21:30) to formally introduce the Guideline.