Prevention and treatment of dental caries with mercury-free products and minimal intervention

Download or read book Prevention and treatment of dental caries with mercury-free products and minimal intervention written by and published by World Health Organization. This book was released on 2022-03-16 with total page 28 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This WHO oral health briefing note series focuses on prevention and treatment of dental caries (tooth decay) with mercury-free products and minimally invasive interventions. Dental caries is a major public health problem globally as the disease affects all age groups. The first section of the briefing note series explains why mercury-free materials and products and minimally invasive interventions are important. The following sections of the document describe six essential strategies using mercury-free products and minimally invasive intervention approaches to prevent and treat dental caries: fluoride toothpaste, fluoride varnish, glass ionomer cement sealants, glass ionomer cement restorations, silver diamine fluoride and composite resin restorations. The document was developed in the context of the COP4 of the Minamata Convention on Mercury; a global treaty that aims to protect human health and the environment from emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. The Minamata Convention recommends the use of cost-effective and clinically effective mercury-free products for dental restoration. The briefing note series is not primarily intended for oral health care providers but for non-specialist readers and the public at large.